Villagers are opposing plans for new homes and a medical centre that will “ruin our village”.

More than 220 people have written in letters of opposition to the proposed development in Birchfield Grove, Hawkhurst.

The application includes 70 homes which would be a mix of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached houses.

If the plans are approved by Tunbridge Wells council there will be a medical centre which developers say could cater for up to 12,000 patients.

Alongside the new-builds, the proposals include a new country park which developers say will improve access to the countryside.

A portion of the 34-acre plot is allocated to the “future expansion” of the over-subscribed Hawkhurst C of E Primary School.

To view the plans click here and use the reference number 22/02664/HYBRID.

Residents have voiced their opposition.

Simon and Charlotte de Wilde, who moved to Hawkhurst in 2016, said the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) will be “lost forever in a village that does not need additional housing, and that cannot be served by existing infrastructure”.

Another villager, Joanne Faulkner, said the sewage system already struggled in the area, saying leaks went into local streams.

She added: “Please don't ruin the village any more.”

Hawkhurst Parish Council also objected to the plans.

Cllr Clare Escombe, chairman of its planning committee, said the village infrastructure “cannot cope” with more development.

She said: “We do not think that the homes being built warrants the exceptional circumstances needed to build on an AONB.

“We also have very significant concerns about the safety of the roads leading into the development.

“The junction that takes residents onto Rye Road is already hard for them to get out of and more people would make it dangerous.

“Whilst we acknowledge that there is a need for the medical centre, it is not the right site due to access.

“Our village has changed over the past 10 years with traffic becoming significantly worse with 150 houses being built.”

The council also noted there are fears that the plans will exacerbate water pressure issues after residents in Hawkhurst were without water for an extended period of time in December 2022 and June 2023.

The developers, Rydon Homes Limited, argue the “extensive public benefits” of the new development amount to the exceptional circumstances needed to build on an AONB site.

It said: “The delivery of 70 new dwellings, 28 of which will be affordable and in excess of the proportion required by current planning policy, is a substantial public benefit.

“The delivery of improved health facilities to serve Hawkhurst and to re-enforce its role as a local service centre is a major community benefit.

“On balance, the benefits of the scheme outweigh the adverse impacts.”