A council locked in a row over relocating village allotments has been forced to spend tens of thousands of pounds of public money on three by-elections.

Voters in Bearsted will go to the polls on Thursday to chose between two candidates - Vivienne Pearson and Alan Rowe - following the resignation of Cllr Tom Jenkins.

It is the third election in the last 11 months in a village that has been split by a row over a plan to move the parish allotments to enable the expansion of the Bearsted and Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club.

The scheme - known as Project A - became possible after a gift of land by local philanthropists Richard and Dena Ashness.

Initially the parish council proposed moving the allotments to the new land, expanding the tennis courts over half the current allotments, extending the village car park over the other half, and creating a dementia garden and children's garden on the new site, as well as building a toilet block.

The project was immediately opposed by allotment holders, who said they hadn't been consulted, and by some villagers worried about the costs of the project - estimated at more than £100,000.

Amid the furore that followed, the parish council chairman Michael Bollom, who first announced the plans, resigned. Another councillor, Graham Norton, elected in November last year, resigned after only three months.

Project A has since been watered down - plans for the dementia garden, children's garden, toilet block and car park extension have gone.

But the acrimony remains.

In August last year, the row made national news, after a poll to gauge support for the project was closed down after just a day, amid accusations that hackers were trying to manipulate the result, with the IP addresses of those casting a vote appearing to come from Russia, Albania, Australia and half a dozen other countries.

However, a straw poll at a public meeting in July attended by around 100 people showed overwhelmingly opposition to Project A - at least from those present.

Spot Lane resident Duncan Edwards hoped the latest election might help resolve the matter.

He said: "The village has been arguing over this for nearly two years now. It could easily go on for another two years.

"The division into those for and against the scheme is not helping to find a solution.

"The parish council has to put the immediate objectives of Project A to one side and find the best way to move forward together.

"It has become clear that success will not be the victory of one side over the other. A compromise is needed. It would be a tragedy if the village ended up having to hand the gifted land back."

When a vacancy arises, electors have the power to demand an election – provided 10 voters call for one. Otherwise, the existing parish councillors get to choose the new member in a process called co-option.

The last three resignations have all resulted in a demand for an election.

Borough Councillor Val Springett, who is doing her best to stay aloof from the parish council turmoil, said: "Some villagers feel the co-option process is open to abuse and does not necessarily produce the best person for the job. Hence the calls for elections."

But Bearsted Parish Council has issued a warning to its electors over the cost.

In an article in the council newsletter, it said: "There are significant costs for these by-elections and they often disrupt the nursery schools, who are forced to vacate the halls within the parish on election day.

"The last by-election, which was called in June, is shortly to be invoiced to us in the region of £7,000 for the election itself.

"On that occasion, councillors opted to send out letters to the electorate informing them of the details of the election in order to save the parish the additional cost of £4,000 for official poll cards.

"It was a mammoth task for the office staff and councillors alike, but did save £500 of parish money. In total, the July election cost just over £10,000."

The newsletter continued: "The by-election on October 27 will cost the parish in the region of a further £11,500.

"Bearsted Parish Council must pay these costs because electors have a democratic right to request that elections be held.

"But the costs may need to be included in the council’s budget for next year and could have an affect on the precept."

Although a third election last November was demanded, in the event there was only one candidate, Cllr Norton, who was therefore automatically elected without voters going to the polls - and without cost to the parish.

Nevertheless the bill for the other two elections - estimated at £21,500 - represents 16% of the village's annual precept of £132,259.

Mr Edwards said: "It's unfortunate, but there's a price to pay for democracy."

He said: "We have at least got two excellent candidates, who both have a lot of skills to offer the village."

Bearsted Parish Council has hit the national headlines before, when it emerged the parish has two councillors – John and Fabienne Hughes – who now live in France.

Both have declined to resign their seats.

The last meeting either attended was in May.