A masterplan for thousands of new homes, a doctors' surgery and primary school has been revealed.

More documents have been published on Swale council's website for Bobbing Garden Village, a 2,500-property development called Foxchurch, near Sittingbourne.

The application, which has now been validated by planning officers allowing consultation on the plans to begin, includes designs for a new sports hub, pub, community facilities, shops, public open spaces, and children’s play areas on fields around Demelza children's hospice.

Appin Land and Development, the firm behind the project, has announced it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Warwickshire “land promotion” giants Catesby Estates on the scheme.

In the company's summary it says the proposed development will fulfil the vision for this new urban extension to Sittingbourne.

It reads: "The development will create an exciting residential area, in what is already recognised as a desirable place to live.

"It is supported by a new high-quality business park, excellent wide-ranging new and existing amenities, and access to public transport.

"The proposals are entirely suitable for the site in terms of land use, amount of development, access, layout and appearance.

"It represents the next logical and sustainable stage in the long history of the development of the area."

Despite the developer's promising words, Conservative councillor for The Meads, James Hunt, has "major concerns" and worries about the "negative impact" the new-build will have on the community.

He said: "The main thing is to make sure that residents get their comments taken into account.

"Personally, I think that this plan is in the wrong location.

"We haven't got the right highway infrastructure to be able to cope with the size of the development.

"I have major concerns that this is going to cause an unacceptable impact on the highway network and that's the sort of thing that residents need to be considering.

"I think it's something that will have an impact that's going to be negative on residents."

The site is mostly made up of agricultural land, aside from a small area of ancient woodland known as Rock Wood.

If the plans are approved it would become a mix of house types, a business park that is said to be creating 850 jobs, and multi-use community centre.

There are also plans to make improvements to the Sheppey Way through a new roundabout near the McDonald's, serving the garden village, and a new priority T-junction on Sheppey Way, between Quinton Road and Stickfast Lane.

There would also be speed management/traffic calming measures on Sheppey Way through Bobbing.

To view and comment on the plans click here and enter 22/503654/EIOUT.

In June 2020 the Foxchurch Garden Village plans were put under scrutiny at a virtual public consultation.

During the online question and answer sessions, Appin said it planned to create 180 acres of green space, although it wanted to hear whether people would prefer it to take the form of parks or paths.

The spokesman also revealed construction could begin in 2024, with between 150 and 250 houses being built each year.

It was also explained that a total of 40% of the homes built would be classed as “affordable”.

The minimum requirement for large developments in Sittingbourne, under Swale council planning policy, is set at 10%.

Cllr Hunt is encouraging residents to give constructive feedback to the application instead of just saying it should be outright refused.

He explained: "You need to give reasoning for your objection because if it does get approval, then you've lost your opportunity to say what you think is needed."

The council is expected to decide on the application by March 21, 2023.