Controversy surrounds an application to bring Costa Coffee to a sleepy village.

Approval would see a branch of the global chain replace Kitchen Connections, which has been empty for almost a year, in Headcorn High Street.

The proposal has caused uproar, with residents concerned it could mark the beginning of the end for the village’s numerous family-run businesses.

Lorraine Saunders, who runs Coffee Corner with her husband Gary, said: “Everyone is up in arms about this. It puts us at risk as well as the tea room, deli and the kiosk which has been at the train station for years.”

The shop has been operating next to Sainsbury’s Local in Foremans Walk, just off High Street, for five years and Mrs Saunders, 49, says she would find it hard to compete with the chain.

She said: “The reality is people say they are loyal but have short memories. It’s going to damage all local businesses and force some to open earlier and close later. It’s not a good thing for people to drive into the village and be greeted by huge glowing Costa signs.”

Mr Saunders, 48, added: “It’s nice to go into a village and have something a little bit different. Headcorn is run by independents and this would just look out of place.”

Lats night (Wednesday) Headcorn Parish Council put its foot down and recommended the application be rejected by Maidstone Borough Council after hearing of the impact it would have on local, independent businesses.

There are currently only two chain stores in the village — Sainsbury's Local and The Original Factory Shop.

Bridget Dungey, head of the parish’s planning committee, said: “It’s part of our emerging neighbourhood plan to pay particular attention to the impact of planning decisions on our high street economy.

“We are trying to maintain our status as a village and what with all the extra housing we are frightened of urbanisation. The village is a heritage asset and has a right to be one.”

The council also opposed a separate application to install illuminated signs, which it stated were not in keeping with the surrounding area.

The applicant, Goldex Investments Ltd, is the largest Costa Coffee franchise in the UK and currently runs 54 stores in the south east, including branches in Bearsted, West Malling and Paddock Wood.

The application can be viewed in full here with a decision expected from mid May.