Two MPs have waded into the row over plans for a new 1,300-home village, urging their constituents to send in their objections before it is too late.

The East Malling Trust has submitted an outline planning application for a new community to be known as Bradbourne to be spread across 80 hectares of farmland at East Malling and Ditton.

As well as 1,300 new homes, the scheme will include a primary school and retail and commercial space.

But with building proposed for greenfield agricultural land and with two accesses proposed onto the already heavily congested Hermitage Lane, there has already been considerable opposition, with more than 200 people attending a public meeting in Ditton last week.

Tracey Crouch MP, who currently represents the area, and the Maidstone and The Weald MP Helen Grant who hopes to represent the area after the boundary changes at the next election, have both taken a stand against the proposals.

Ms Crouch, who will not stand at the next election, posted on Facebook stating she will be “objecting to these proposals in the strongest possible terms” while Mrs Grant said: “These housing development proposals will impose impossible new pressures on local infrastructure that is already creaking at its limits.

“The plan will also remove yet another large open space between Maidstone and Aylesford, exacerbating the continuous urban sprawl across our precious open countryside.”

Mrs Grant added: “My neighbour, Tracey Crouch, and I will be working with local stakeholders to do all we can to oppose this plan.”

But she urged the public to be aware of the deadline for making responses to the council about the application.

She said: “Residents need to take the opportunity to ensure their voice is heard before it is too late.

“The deadline to complete the consultation is Friday, May 3.”

There is an opportunity to learn more about the proposals and to air your views at a public meeting called by East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council at East Malling Village Hall in Church Road in the village this Sunday at 3pm.

Find out about planning applications and other public notices in your area by visiting PublicNoticePortal.uk

However, it will still be necessary to respond to Tonbridge and Malling Council’s consultation, which you can do online.