People are just beginning to wake up to the fact that a large commercial and industrial estate is being built on their doorstep.

When Wrenbridge (Aylesford) Ltd applied to Tonbridge and Malling council for planning permission to build on land just north of the M20 off Coldharbour Lane in Aylesford back in 2021, there was only one letter of objection and one letter of support.

Planning permission was granted in July last year, and work on the site close to J5 of the M20 began in June this year. The project is for six units in five buildings on the 6.7 hectare site, supported by parking for 337 cars.

Now that the shells of the six large commercial units are becoming visible, people have begun to take notice.

Ben Godding, 31, a truck driver from Detling, said: “It’s a great shame.

“I was completely unaware of this application when it went in, and of course now it is too late to do anything.

“Probably it’s the same with many others.”

But Mr Godding said: “People will soon become aware of it now though, as the buildings are becoming very visible to motorists on the M20.”

The site, which sits around two areas of ancient woodland, was divided by a public footpath.

Mr Godding said he used to enjoy walking along it.

He said: “It is now a quagmire.

“What was, as late as last May, a beautiful meadow full of butterflies is now a construction site.”

Mr Godding said: “It’s impossible to keep track of every planning application.

“Really developers should be obliged to put up a massive sign saying ‘commercial site proposed here’, but that’s not going to happen.

“It’s different with the Panattoni site, which is being developed not far away on the old Aylesford Newsprint – at least that was a brownfield site.

“But why on earth grant permission for such a thing on a green field in the countryside?

“No wildlife will ever survive it.”

Details of what is being constructed can be found on the council’s website here.

Look for planning application 21/02866.

Meanwhile, a planning inquiry will take place in January to determine an appeal by the developer Wates against Maidstone council’s refusal to grant planning permission for a warehouse complex at Hollingborne.

Wrenbridge (Aylesford) Ltd was approached for comment.