An unpopular retirement development, dubbed a "monstrosity" by villagers, has been given to go ahead to finish its controversial 155-home project.

Angry residents have said the approval of Ledian Gardens in Leeds, near Maidstone, which was first approved in 2012, will "bring misery" to the village.

The development, proposed by Inspired Villages, was split into three phases and earlier this month the final stage for 39 homes was given the green light.

Built around a clubhouse, residents will also have access to a swimming pool, spa, gym, restaurant and shop, all open to the public.

But the proposals have been slammed by villagers in Leeds and Langley, who are concerned about the growing traffic problems and lack of support for the village.

One resident described the development as a "unacceptable, unhealthy and unsafe", while another told of daily arguments and fights between drivers due to "traffic choked" Upper Road.

Paul Cordier, of Brogden Crescent, said: "This proposal will spoil the village even further than the first stage has done.

"If they are allowed to continue building this monstrosity of a building on land that forms part of the countryside the nature of the village will be further eroded.

"The increase in traffic will make the conditions in the village even worse with no discernible benefit for residents.

"How can they be allowed to destroy the lovely countryside and the character of a historic village."

While Melissa Comins, of Lower Street, said: "I object with regard to impact on traffic in an already congested traffic choked village that sees altercations between drivers on a daily basis and damage to property along the road due to regular accidents.

"I object with regard to impact more housing has on parking and emergency vehicles and refuse collections getting through.

'Parking demands will increase to unacceptable, unhealthy and frankly, unsafe levels...'

"We already have cars blocking in villager's and refuse not being collected as vehicles cant get into roads."

Simon Standen, who lives in Upper Street, said the heavy goods vehicles from the development are making his house shake.

He explained: "The increased site traffic and heavy goods vehicle have caused damage to my property.

"The property was re-pointed last year and it's already starting to fall out. The vibrations from the trucks literally shake the house.

"Another phase of development is going to cause more damage to the house.

"The amount of dirt that is also tracked out of the site and then up the road ends up being splashed up the front of the cottages."

David Hammond, Wykeham Grove, Leeds, said: "It will increase vehicle movements, noise and emissions. Peak time congestion and parking demands will increase to unacceptable, unhealthy and frankly, unsafe levels.

"This will undoubtedly involve more traffic and parking issues - and parking capacity on the site and elsewhere in the village is extremely limited already.

It will likely create more traffic misery for villagers, as well destroying the character and surrounds of Leeds village."

Ruby Rose, Heath Road, Langley, said: "The infrastructure of Leeds Village cannot cope with this and the developers can't even sell the phases they already have.

"This must not go ahead and we must protect the countryside we have left."

Inspired Villages development director Neal Dale said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the third and final phase of development at Ledian Gardens.

"There is growing demand in the Kent area for age appropriate housing that allows older people to live independently for longer, which is evidenced by the high number of off-plan reservations we received for our first phase at Ledian Gardens.

"We recently welcomed our first residents to the village, which offers beautifully designed homes for later living alongside a village centre with a gym, fitness suite, pool, cinema, craft room, restaurant and bar.

"I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this process and supported us.”

You can view the plans at here, with reference 21/506208/FULL. (www.tinyurl.com/planningkm)

The development's first phase was approved in 2012, before a nine-year wait for the second phase to be approved last year.