Angry villagers say “diabolical” plans for a new housing estate would destroy a picturesque view across the Kent countryside.

Residents also fear local roads won’t be able to cope as the development would increase the population of Hamstreet, near Ashford, by about a quarter.

Hallam Land Management announced its proposals for 175 homes on a field called Cotton Hill in the village earlier this month.

The developer says Hamstreet has been identified as a suitable location for new housing by Ashford Borough Council.

But critics of the scheme highlight concerns over flooding, damage to wildlife, a lack of infrastructure and the risk of overpopulation.

Hamstreet is home to about 1,700 people and the new estate is expected to increase that total by at least 400.

Penny Hill, a retired Caravan and Motorhome Club worker, told KentOnline: “To build on this field would be absolutely criminal.

“You would destroy the view and also it would destroy it forever for the teenagers and for everybody else.

“It adds more traffic to the village and more strain on the services. The village just can't cope with it all.

“I think it’s absolutely diabolical.”

Margaret Brickstock moved to the village in 1960 to open a hairdressing salon after falling in love with the surrounding countryside.

The 90-year-old said: “It started off small but now it’s more and more building. It's getting too much now.”

“Can you imagine the roads? And what the doctors will do? What about the school?”

The planned homes will be a mix of one- to five-bed properties, with 40% classified as affordable.

As well as the homes, Hallam says a new “substantial” 6.5-acre public park would be built at the highest point of Cotton Hill to supplement the public right of way that exists on the land.

The 35.3-acre site is a privately owned grass field with views stretching for miles across the Romney Marsh. It is thought to have not been farmed for more than a decade.

Hallam says an outline planning application will be submitted but declined to provide any further details when asked by KentOnline.

A Hallam spokesperson said: “There is a need to improve the supply of new homes across the borough.

“Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan identifies Hamstreet as a suitable settlement for new housing.

“We will carefully consider comments received during this pre-application consultation process as we progress in developing our proposals.”

But Cllr Aline Hicks, the representative for Kingsnorth at Ashford Borough Council, says no decision has yet been made on which specific plots will be allocated for housing.

“Hallam has jumped the gun because there has been no decision on anything,” she said.

“There are 183 sites across the borough being put forward for development. Nobody has made any decision as yet regarding which ones will be going forward.

“There will be a public consultation when all the sites have been sifted through and public exhibitions where people can make their voices heard.”

The Hamstreet and Ruckinge Conservation Group said: “The proposed plans are for an unsustainable and unnecessary development, which will have a significant detrimental impact on our vulnerable rural communities.

“These are already under significant strain from the recent and continuing development projects in the villages and surrounding areas.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

KentOnline previously revealed just 0.7% of land in the Ashford borough is in use as housing.

This is the lowest percentage in the county.