Raw sewage has regularly been pouring onto the streets of a rapidly-expanding village where residents say they are often unable to flush their toilets or use their showers.

People living in Frognal Lane, Teynham have reported reoccurring leaks for years.

They fear the problem will only get worse when 300 homes are built in fields behind their properties.

The plans for 298 new builds were approved on Thursday, July 18 despite Southern Water stating it could connect only 50 new homes to the system without the need for more “reinforcement”.

It is understood some leaks are caused by items that should not be flushed down toilets, such as nappies and sanitary products, that block the system.

But Wayne Kennett, who has lived in Frognal Lane for three years, says the raw sewage leaks occur “every two to three months” which shows the infrastructure “cannot cope”.

The latest leak, the 63-year-old says, was in May.

He said the worst was in October last year when a manhole cover overflowed for “three days straight” making the area “stink to high hell”.

During this leak, sewage came out in his garden, from where he can see the fields where the new estate will be built.

Southern Water says it has not received reports of further problems since this leak, which it repaired.

Wayne says it sums up the problems in the village, which is becoming increasingly under strain due to more homes being built but insufficient facilities.

His two grandchildren live in Teynham Primary School’s catchment area but were not given places. Instead, they had to go to Luddenham School, almost three-and-a-half miles away.

The former telecoms engineer also points to the village not having its own GP anymore, which was part of the reason for a decision on the homes being delayed.

He said: “In this day and age to have raw sewage coming out of manhole covers in the street is disgusting. It just should not happen.

“The system is old and outdated and cannot cope with what is already here. It can’t take another 298 houses and it’s going to be a disaster.

“It's so bad that I don’t even drink the tap water anymore as I fear it causes health problems.”

The grandfather-of-two distills his water instead.

Meanwhile, Frognal Gardens resident of six years and garden landscaper, Robert Requena, said the leaks were “disgraceful” - as was the approval of the new homes.

“It’s a health hazard that's been going on since I arrived in the village,” the 63-year-old added.

“But there is nothing we can do about it now the plans have been approved.”

He also says the roads will not be able to handle the extra traffic, as the junction between Frognal Lane and Frognal Gardens already floods after heavy downpours.

Cllr Paul Townson, chairman of Teynham Parish Council, is among those who slated the “car-centric design” of the proposed estate.

Cllr Julien Speed (Con), who represents Teynham and Lynsted on Swale council, argued the development should not go ahead until Southern Water had provided detailed, budgeted and timetabled plans to solve the drainage problems.

He added: “Residents are regularly unable to flush their toilets or use their showers due to a backup which is totally unacceptable.

"A Southern Water employee has told me privately there’s no room for the plant to be upgraded as it’s running at full capacity.

"Tanker lorries are being brought in on a two-weekly basis to take excess sewage away. This is 21st-century Britain, for goodness sake.

“Frankly, I dispute that Southern Water can allow 50 new homes as there’s already a major failure of mains drainage in Frognal Lane.”

Chartway, the developer behind the Frognal Lane scheme, says the project will bring “much-needed new family homes for the borough”.

It will be making a £4.2 million contribution to local infrastructure, including the expansion of Teynham Primary School which is under way, and a new offer of giving ownership of land for community facilities to the parish council.

Southern Water says it is investigating the issues raised and has been approached by KentOnline for further comment.