Plans have emerged to tear down a 1960s bungalow and build 55 new village homes in its place.

The application for a plot of land off A28 Ashford Road in St Michaels, has sparked comments over extra traffic and the changing face of the small village, near Tenterden.

The bid, from developer Six Acres Developments Ltd and submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), earmarks land currently occupied by a detached bungalow, known as Six Acres, as well as a 6.62-acre plot of farmland directly behind it, for the new homes.

In total, 55 houses are proposed, which would be a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes.

Of the 55, 23 are planned to be affordable – 17 would be shared ownership and six would be social housing – and three would be self-build.

Meanwhile, a total of 143 vehicle parking spaces are included as part of the application.

If approved, each home would be between one and two-and-a-half storeys tall and feature single-storey garages, cycle storage and electric charging points.

However, despite the site being submitted as part of ABC’s recent Call for Sites in 2023, it does not feature in its Local Plan up to 2030.

Originally, in plans drawn up earlier this year, 58 homes were proposed for the land. However Six Acres Developments Ltd reduced this to 55 following potential concerns with parking and its effect on a proposed green space in the heart of the estate.

DHA Planning, which has submitted the application on behalf of Six Acres Developments Ltd, believes the development would benefit the supposed housing need across the borough by supplying “high-quality homes”.

A report added: "The scheme would deliver up to 55 dwellings, of which 40% would be affordable, within an area where there is an identified housing need on both a borough and local level.

"The design has evolved to ensure it is in keeping with the local character, incorporating sustainable practices and enhancing the local environment.

"The housing parcels are arranged organically in clusters fronting onto the primary and secondary access roads - this reduces the number of cul-de-sacs and aids the permeability of the development.

"These opportunities make the site a suitable choice for a well-designed, sustainable residential development that meets local housing needs and enhances the local environment."

ABC representative for St Michaels ward, John Link, says the area already looks very different today compared to the past.

The former Mayor of Ashford explained: "St Michaels has changed a lot over the years.

"With all the building going on, it's not just St Michaels but Tenterden too and it means everything is getting bigger and bigger.

"Nowadays, every bit of land seems to be 'we'll stick a house there and here' whether it's big enough or not.

"It's just one road into Tenterden from there as well, so it can be dangerous with cars going fast on the straight.

"I have never seen queues of traffic into Tenterden like it has been this Christmas, and, coming out of Ox Lane, it was going back to St Michaels so I think shops would have been pleased this year.

"People prefer shopping in Tenterden rather than Ashford, but of course the car parks aren't big enough so I think traffic wardens have been having a field day.

"[So] maybe a few less than 55 homes wouldn't hurt, but we'll have to see what happens.”

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Should it be given the green light, the development's layout would be centred around an open space which includes a designated play area - something developers say will "promote community interaction".

A single point of vehicular access off the A28 would serve the development, with a primary access road running around the centre of the site followed by secondary routes branching off it.

An update on the application is expected by March 17, 2025.

The owners of the bungalow did not wish to provide any further information to KentOnline.