Residents have pleaded with developers to "stop this madness" after plans for 220 homes were submitted.

Land off the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable was snapped up by Catesby Estates, which has moved forward with its proposals to build Benacre View.

It is envisaged the sprawling development will include a park and ride service with 300 spaces.

A bus would run from the site, which is opposite Benacre Wood and the Whitstable Heights estate, into the town centre.

But the planning application, which was submitted to the city council this month, has been met with fierce opposition - with some warning it puts "the very character of Whitstable at risk".

More than 20 people have officially objected to the proposals, with many concerned local infrastructure will not be able to cope with the new scheme.

Originally the land was earmarked for 270 homes, but this has been scaled back to 220.

Jacqueline Page says Whitstable is "overdeveloped already" and is concerned over wastewater being discharged in the sea.

"Whitstable is being destroyed by overdevelopment," she says.

"There are fewer and fewer fields on which to grow crops and green spaces for recreation in what is supposed to be the Garden of England.

"Please stop this madness."

Sarah Holliday says her main concerns are about pressures on local infrastructure and whether young people will be able to afford the 'affordable housing'.

"Please do not swamp us in more housing," she adds.

Dr Joanna Waller also objects to the plans - saying infrastructure is not in place to support another expansion in south Whitstable.

"Much of the development that has already taken place along the Old Thanet Way is unaffordable for the people who need it most," she writes.

"I belong to a local organisation which helps people in need, and we encounter over and over again people who are struggling with high rents, cost of living, substandard housing, and this new development will not be serving their needs."

Angela Collins believes until there is better infrastructure and drainage, "this is a ridiculous idea".

"Doctors are full, plus there will be more flooding..."

"The traffic chaos would also be unacceptable unless roads are upgraded," she said.

"I currently queue already on the Thanet Way to get to work.

"Doctors are full, plus there will be more flooding and the council will be responsible."

The estate would comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments along with two-, three- and four-bedroom houses.

The developers say 30%, which is up to 66 homes, will be affordable and 10% of them will be bungalows.

"The very character of Whitstable is at risk if we allow unfettered development along the Thanet Way..."

Benacre View was earmarked in Canterbury City Council’s draft local plan, which is the authority’s housing blueprint up to 2045.

Catesby Estates is preparing an outline planning application - with the public consultation helping form the proposals.

Cllr Chris Cornell (Lab) has also criticised the plans

"A new estate on this site wouldn't have even been considered last year," he said.

"But the council's failure to deliver affordable housing elsewhere means developers can now [submit] applications before many of the new safeguards we have fought for so hard on sewage are in place.

"The very character of Whitstable is at risk if we allow unfettered development along the Thanet Way."

The councillor also hit out at the plans for the park and ride, saying it isn't like the one in Canterbury.

"It's a big car park which allows you to get an expensive bus into town and without any detail about where the bus will run and how regularly," he added.

"The plan will also expect hundreds of people to cross over a 50mph dual carriageway to get to the bus stop.

"This isn't safe - it just isn't the right place for a park and ride which needs to be near the New Thanet Way slip."

"Sixty-six homes will be affordable for those struggling to get on the housing ladder locally..."

Plans reveal how there will be a retail or community-use area with room to accommodate a building of up to 400 sq m and parking.

New access for vehicles will be from the Old Thanet Way into the site via the Duncan Down roundabout.

And it is envisaged there will be a network of multi-functional open spaces including a community park with new children's play area and allotments.

A spokesman for Catesby Estates said: "The council is preparing a new local plan which will provide a framework for future development including new homes.

"Benacre View has been identified as a draft allocation for residential development as part of the south Whitstable strategic development area.

"We have been in discussions with local councillors since 2021 regarding this site and have sought to deliver a high-quality application that accords with the council’s requirements for new homes and services.

"In direct response to our public consultation, we reduced the number of homes from 270 to 220, of which 66 homes will be affordable for those struggling to get on the housing ladder locally.

"New walking and cycling links through the site to Duncan Down, including a new crossing on the Thanet Way, is proposed along with improvements to walking and cycle connections to Whitstable.

"In accordance with the emerging housing allocation set out by the council the proposals include the provision of a park and bus facility for up to 300 cars, which will help relieve some of the peak time congestion within the town centre."

To view the application, search reference CA/23/00379 on Canterbury City Council's planning portal.