Plans to build 1160 new homes risk turning an area of countryside into a "concrete jungle", locals have warned.

Two housing developers have submitted a joint masterplan to develop a combined area of 70.4 hectares oto the south east of Paddock Wood.

Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes have each submitted a hybrid application seeking both detailed and outline planning permission from Tunbridge Wells council.

The Redrow proposal seeks detailed permission for 170 homes, plus outline consent for another 400.

Permission for 160 homes, plus outline consent for a further 400, is also being sought by Persimmon, making it 1,160 homes in total.

The sites on land west of Mile Oak Road are adjacent to each other and two existing development sites where construction is already underway – Countryside Properties is building 360 homes at Church Farm, while Persimmon has another site for 375 homes at Mascalls Court Farm.

The present site falls outside any area of outstanding natural beauty and is not in the greenbelt.

However, it is within the Low Weald character area.

Although the site lies outside the limits to build in the existing Tunbridge Wells local plan, it is within the area earmarked for development in the new draft local plan which has yet to be approved by government inspectors.

The developers argue that in any case, the existing planning rules no longer apply, since Tunbridge Wells does not currently have a five-year housing supply, which is a government requirement.

They claim under the plans more than 40 per cent of the site – some 28 hectares in total – will remain as green open space, and in addition to enhancing the character of the area it will also a deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain.

The plans include the provision of land for a primary school within the Redrow section, and a separate provision of land off Chartham Hll Road for an extension of Mascalls Academy secondary school within the Persimmon section.

There is also provision for a community hub and new medical centre. Access would be from Church Road and from Mascalls Court Road.

Persimmon aim to keep 12.6 hectares of the site as public open space, while Redrow is setting aside 15.4 hectares.

Some of the land, which is all currently in agricultural use, near the community hub will be allocated for elderly living accommodation.

Details can be viewed on the Tunbridge Wells website here. Search for application number 22/03534 for Persimmon and 23/00118 for Redrow.

Paddock Wood resident Julie Shrubb was the first to object to the plans on the council's website.

She said: "In the last few years we have lost valuable countryside to major development, at Badsell Road and Church Road for example.

"Every single piece of land that becomes available is sold for further development.

She said: "Paddock Wood does not have the infrastructure to cope. The roads are full of potholes due to construction traffic.

"We have constant roadworks due to burst pipes and power issues.

"Building more houses just exacerbates this. Paddock Wood is becoming a concrete jungle."

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes said: “Working in partnership, Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes are proud of their respective applications for Paddock Wood. Jointly, these plans will seek to deliver 1,160 much needed new homes, including over 460 new homes for shared ownership or below market rent.

“Over 40 per cent of the site, some 28 hectares in total, will remain as green open space which we will help preserve and enhance the character of the area.

"Furthermore, we will also a deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain, allotments, new children’s play areas as well as a multi-use games area for people to enjoy.

"Future and existing residents will also benefit from major new community infrastructure upgrades including a local centre, a primary school, additional land for the secondary school and a financial contribution towards the medical centre.

“The site has been correctly identified by Tunbridge Wells council in its emerging local plan as a suitable location for housing and we’re very pleased to be working with the council to deliver much needed new homes, and new facilities, for the local community.”