A public consultation is set to be held for the construction of up to 1,400 homes on agricultural land.

Developer Hallam Land is holding a public exhibition to hear the views of locals on its proposals for a site the size of 110 football pitches in Whitstable.

The plot, which lies off South Street, has been earmarked for housing in Canterbury City Council's draft Local Plan, which - if approved by the local authority - will act as the district's building blueprint through to 2045.

But some locals, including Bagpuss star Emily Firmin, have already expressed their disapproval of the project - saying it will ruin the area’s “beautiful, natural wilderness”.

Development firm Hallam Land requested a scoping opinion from the council in May for their plan which includes a primary school and accommodation for the elderly.

Now they have opened their public consultation, which you can respond to online now.

Alternatively you can attend one of their events at the WI Hall in Chestfield on Thursday, September 12 or Friday, September 13, between 3pm and 8pm.

Brooklands Farm is the largest scheme put forward in the Local Plan for Whitstable, and will act as an extension to Chestfield village.

Papers produced by the local authority show a SEND school - a facility for children with special educational needs or disabilities - will be built in addition to the primary school at the site.

The plot is currently used for farming, and is believed to be home to various species in the wooded areas that run through it.

Those opposing the development have set up a campaign called Save Brooklands Farmland, which has been supported by Emily Firmin, the daughter of Peter Firmin who co-created Bagpuss.

Speaking to KentOnline, Ms Firmin said: "We are shocked - this is beautiful, natural wilderness.

“It’s not as simple as re-homing the animals that are there; a lot of species don’t survive that kind of change.”

Ms Firmin, who appeared in sepia photographs at the start of each Bagpuss episode, grew up in Blean with her father Peter, the creator of the famous series.

The former actress says, having spent many years nurturing the wilderness, the threat to wildlife is of massive concern to her.

“My father ran a country footpath group and, even up until his death, spoke with excitement when discussing nature,” Ms Firmin, who now works as an artist, added.

“My parents created a wildlife meadow-slash-woodland and as a family we encouraged wildlife to appear on an old, flooded piece of unworkable farmland.

"I do keep an eye on what wildlife is around, and the area in Brooklands Farm is thriving."

Council documents also reveal the 195-acre site will be equipped with "shopping and community uses", allotments, a cricket pitch and play areas.

The land earmarked for the development stretches along South Street and Chestfield Road to the A299 Thanet Way.

In all, the draft Local Plan is proposing to build 13,000 extra homes across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay by 2045.

That figure is on top of the 16,000 already earmarked for construction by 2031.

Residents have until the September 27 to respond to the online consultation.