Plans to build 300 homes on the outskirts of a town have been met with a raft of objections.

Applicants Parham Ltd want to build the new estate in Strood on land to the north of Beaufort Road and west of Gravesend Road.

It would sit on a new road network connecting Clinton Avenue, Beaufort Road and Carisbrooke Road.

But many say the development is not suitable.

Anthony Ford of Clinton Avenue wrote to the council to say the building work was on the Metropolitan Green Belt, designed to prevent urban sprawl - and the new homes would close the gap between Strood and Higham.

He said the land was high grade farmland and that similar applications to develop it had been refused.

"I do not believe there are exceptional circumstances to build on this particular site," he wrote.

"This farmland is part of an essential resource to feed the nation.

"It is already a scarce facility and assists in reducing the expensive imports of foodstuffs.

"It is patently obvious the local infrastructure and services are in all respects stretched to overloading because of the increase in population and associated traffic together with the associated pollution."

Susan Bell of Carisbrooke Road backed up Mr Ford's points on the use of green belt land and also noted concerns that the new roads were being built over and oil pipeline.

"I do not believe there are exceptional circumstances to build on this particular site..." - Anthony Ford

"The field has an aviation fuel pipeline and whether in use or not should be a significant factor in any risk analysis performed as it runs across the whole proposed site at a depth of only 1-1.5m.

"The pipeline service of Fisher German has been informed of this proposal & may have further concerns to add.

"Finally I feel we should be supporting our greenbelt to provide a pleasant environment for residents to enjoy rather than allowing yet more development to line the pockets of developers looking for a quick buck."

But home-builders Parham say the benefits outweigh the landscape impact.

"This proposal provides mitigation which can be increased or reduced upon negotiation with the Council and maintains this separation," states the planning statement. "The proposal will significantly augment the existing treed boundaries of the site and provide comprehensive landscaping throughout.

"Afforestation of the boundary on gently rising land would provide a much valued wider landscape benefit to soften the urban edges of the Medway Towns."

They also note the site is already serviced and the roads adopted, and there would be minimal additional infrastructure required to deliver the housing.