Developers have once again set their sights on a former bootfair field - bringing the total number of new homes that could be built in one part of a town to more than 600.

The latest application is for land between Otterham Quay Lane and the A2 Moor Street in Rainham, where 200 homes were turned down in 2016 .

Since then, The Leigh Academy secondary school has been built on part of the site, where the Westmoor Farm bootfairs were held, which opened in September.

Now Bellway Homes has applied for planning permission to build 74 homes on the remaining parcel of land between the school and the A2.

The development will have 25% affordable housing and include a children's play area. It will be accessed from the new roundabout and road going into the school from Otterham Quay Lane.

In a planning statement, Bellway said: "The currently proposed development site covers a much smaller area and the surroundings and the local context of the site have changed significantly since the previous planning applications were submitted, not least with the dividing up of the larger parcel and the construction of the Leigh Academy and associated playing fields and infrastructure to the north of the currently proposed site."

This part of Rainham is subject to several ongoing development plans within a one mile area.

Since the first application for the bootfair field was rejected, 300 homes were approved for the land on the other side of the school and work has started on the development, called Otterham Park.

In April this year, Gladman applied to Swale council to build 74 homes on orchards between Lower Rainham Road and Otterham Quay Lane. Medway Council has objected to the plans.

In August last year, outline permission was granted for 202 homes at Woolley's Orchard, off Lower Rainham Road, where the boot fairs also used to be held.

Bellway also began work at a site off Lower Rainham Road, next to Berengrave Nature Reserve, in June where it is building 79 new homes.

The original application for Westmoor Farm faced huge opposition from people living nearby - and there were posters put up along with smiley faces when it was rejected.

The developer appealed in 2016 on the grounds of non-determination. But was appeal was dismissed and planning permission was refused.

Bellway says it has now addressed the points raised by the planning inspector including protecting the Moor Street conservation area.

The new plans include the creation of two distinct areas of development, with different styles of housing and layout, to maintain a sense of separation between Rainham and the Moor Street area.

The two areas would be divided by a large green space which would also mean they wouldn't be new homes immediately behind the Grade II listed Westmoor Cottage.

The planning report concludes: "The proposal would provide much needed homes towards the council’s extremely poor housing land supply.

"The council is unable to demonstrate a robust five-year supply of housing land and so the ability to deliver housing at this sustainable location should be viewed favourably."

To have your say on the Westmoor Farm application click here or log on to publicaccess1.medway.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search 'Moor Street'.

To comment on the Gladman application, for the site between Lower Rainham Road and Otterham Quay Lane which is covered by Swale Borough Council, click here or go to pa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search 21/501839/OUT before Wednesday. November 24.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent

Read more: All the latest news from Medway