More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An anti-development artist going by the moniker Swampsy has been plastering their work around a town - but a rival has been slashing the posters at night.
Nicknamed Swampsy, the anonymous talent has been erecting signs around the town in support of the Stop Over Development of Paddock Wood campaign.
Tunbridge Wells council has just approved its pre-submission version of the Local Plan, which will shape development in the borough until 2038.
The plan includes a large amount of housing both in Paddock Wood and in the areas around.
Stop Over Development of Paddock Wood is fearful of the effects extra house building will have on the town's sewerage system and is concerned it will lead to additional surface water flooding.
The posters reflect those fears.
One poster was erected on the B2160 Badsell Road, right opposite a Berkeley Homes development.
Another sign went up outside 1 Rose Cottages, a grade II listed building in Church Road, which be surrounded by new houses, once the Local Plan is fully implemented.
The Welcome To Paddock Wood sign has received an addition saying "Don't destroy it!"
Campaigner Sue Lovell said: "There's an awful lot of anger over the Local Plan. The leader of the borough council says there will be no adverse effects on the town, but that's just not believable.
"The thing is we already have three large developments going ahead now, generating over 1,000 homes, and we were promised all sorts of things would happen before those developments started. A new primary school and a new junction at Badsell Road for example. It just hasn't happened.
"That's why we will continue with the campaign despite the council's recent decision."
But it seems not everyone appreciates the new art.
Two of the Swampsy posers that were erected on the boundary fence of the Berkeley Homes site were removed the next day.
But since then other posters on private property have been attacked and either removed or slashed with a knife.
Like Swampsy, the culprit is anonymous and doing his or her work overnight.
Mrs Lovell said: "It defies belief that someone seems so intent on stopping people protesting."
