A former planning officer has vowed to fight plans which would see nearly 1,200 homes built within less than a mile of each other.

A developer wants to build 580 houses off Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne.

It comes two months after a public consultation ended on a proposal to create 600 houses at nearby Stones Farm, near Bapchild.

The news has provoked outrage from people living in the area, who raised concerns about the impact on traffic, schools and amenities.

Gladman Developments, which is behind the latest plan, posted letters to residents about its intentions last week.

Jacqueline Nelson, who lives in Swanstree Avenue, said: “I would imagine this is bigger than where we live – it’s huge, colossal.

“The schools are inadequate, the services are inadequate. As it is I’m at a doctor’s in Teynham because I can’t get into one in Sittingbourne.”

Others also argued existing roads are insufficient for a large influx of cars. Blenheim Road resident Claire Taylor said: “I dread to think what traffic will be like – it’s already a problem.

“What are they going to do? Take the path away to extend the road? There just isn’t enough room. I know it is just proposed, but we all know that developers always get their way. I’m devastated.”

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said it will try to block the Swanstree proposal. Brian Lloyd, a senior planner at the Kent branch of the organisation and former planning policy manager for Swale council, said: “We will be opposing them undoubtedly and there’s good reason for that – it is not a good site for the development.

“The impact on the environment and the impact on landscape is huge.”

Mr Lloyd, who has been with the group for seven years, said the Swanstree development would create major traffic problems, but conceded the Stones Farm plan is likely to progress: “There is not a lot the CPRE can do about it – we are at the sort of point in time where we have to accept that Stones Farm is going to happen because it’s been around for such a long time.

“There are issues – all the traffic will end up on the A2. Stones Farm and Swanstree will both link to the A2 and that’s a road that is already at full capacity.”

Officials from Gladman Developments could not be reached for comment.