Twenty years ago the battle lines were being drawn over a bypass plan that was dividing two communities - both literally and figuratively.

Back in 1991 Kent County Council had approved the scheme for a new bypass to take the A228 past Leybourne and link with the existing West Malling bypass, built three years earlier.

But a decade later the argument over the proposed route was still rumbling on, and it would take a public inquiry in 2003 before members of West Malling and Leybourne parish councillors could settle their differences.

On the one hand those in West Malling argued the planned route would destroy valued countryside, including a large section of ancient woodland on the eastern edge of Leybourne Woods.

Many in Leybourne agreed, but the alternative suggestion of widening Castle Way didn't seem like an attractive option to those living near there, who felt turning Castle Way into a dual carriageway would cut the community off from its church and make life miserable for more residents.

Of course, it wasn't a simple matter of West Malling verses Leybourne, and there were many from both communities who didn't want a new road at all – despite KCC's insistence it was needed to cope with predicted traffic increases.

In the end the road we know today was given the green light by the government, and those who disagreed had to live with it, but twenty years on residents in West Malling and Leybourne are united in a campaign to stop any further loss of Leybourne Woods.

News last month that the woods were for sale sparked a petition to save them, which has been signed by more than 2,400 people and calls on Leybourne Parish Council to purchase the woodland to guarantee its protection.

Leybourne resident and parish councillor Bill Banks, who set up the campaign with fellow resident Paul Boxall, said he hoped a swift solution could be found to the current problem, and that all those involved could work together.

But back in 2003 he recalled how the bypass caused divisions that would last for years.

"Some of the bad feeling between some local politicians remains to this day," said Bill, now a member of Leybourne Parish Council himself. "I remember it well. There was almost a battle between people in West Malling, who wanted the bypass to go along Castle Way, and people in Leybourne who didn't want to chop the school and church in half.

"I was a resident but I spoke in favour and I spoke in favour of not enlarging Castle Way.

"Eventually the line of the road was set, but I think it did go further west than most people anticipated and it chopped through a little bit of the wood.

"There was a big conservation project. They found some dormice and they went to a lot of effort making wood piles and barriers to help them."

Others remember the lost section as slightly bigger than a little bit of wood, but it seems like a minor quibble when compared to the losses suffered inflicted on others by the bypass.

Eileen Goodchild recalls how foxes, herons and a wealth of birdlife lost their homes when the diggers moved in, and she could empathise more than most – because she and husband Donald lost their home too, forced out through compulsory purchase.

While champagne corks were popping in 2006 to celebrate the opening of the bypass, Donald and Eileen were reflecting on a batch of home-made wine, produced using a grapevine salvaged when they finally left their home of 42 years.

Seventeen years on, and now aged 89, Eileen is still at the new home they moved to in West Malling, but says she still thinks of their former home.

"I miss my old house," she said. "I was there for 42 years and I loved it. There was space around us, and it was just lovely.

"The foxes used to come up the garden and we had all types of birds. We had owls in the trees. All I've got now is houses and cars. It's a totally different way of life.

"I don't think people realise all the worry you go through with compulsory purchase. It's terrible. I had lovely neighbours, and we had a little hamlet together. They were going to take the bungalows down in Pump Close, and then they changed their minds, but two old men there died from heart attacks.

"We stuck it out to the end and we were the last to go."

Sadly Donald died four years ago, aged 87, but Eileen remains passionate about the home they once shared, and is backing the campaign to stop more of the woodland being lost.

"Hopefully it's just bought by someone else and stays as woodland," she said. "I hope they keep the woods. It's still beautiful there and it should be protected.

"I know this sounds rude but this country is being treated like a dustbin. Kent is just getting such a knocking. We've got building going on all around us."

Many other also agreed.

Veronica Cosier from West Malling recalled the battle over the bypass site, adding: "We're desperate that we don't lose the woods. It's important to the West Malling and Leybourne and the whole surrounding area. It's the most beautiful area and it links the villages together."
And she said the bypass had drastically altered the former woodland.
"It was big chunk missing and we certainly don't want to lose another chunk. It's quite noisy now on that side of the woods if you're walking near the road.

"It's depressing, the whole area around here is being concreted over."

Clare Painting lived in West Malling at the time the bypass was being built, and had a pony stabled at Leybourne Park Farm.

"There was so much dust and debris in the air that some of the horses developed respiratory problems," she recalled. "One man had to box his horses and drive them to stay with a friend elsewhere.

"I would say that at the time I was very annoyed. I am always very annoyed when the KCC give the go ahead to building projects that destroy nature. Kent was “the Garden of England” and to be honest I hate Kent now. I would say I still am very annoyed at what’s happened and is still happening."

An extraordinary meeting was held by Leybourne Parish Council last Wednesday night to discuss action on Leybourne Woods.

Councillors agreed to apply to make the woods an "Asset of Community Value", which has since been approved by Tonbridge and Malling Council.

This will stop the sale of the woods for six months, and allow the community to prepare the bid.