Plans to build 700 new homes on a greenfield site in Kennington - known as the Large Burton Estate - have been revealed.

The controversial development is already facing opposition from Kennington residents and ward member Cllr Philip Sims has branded the proposals unnecessary.

If approved, the huge estate would stretch from the Conningbrook Hotel up to Orchard Lane, across agricultural land.

Cllr Sims said: “It is a long way ahead yet but I’m not unhappy that this has come out early because it gives residents some time to understand what’s involved and make their comments.

“The idea is misguided, to say the least, because something would need to be done to deal with all the traffic that it would create.

“Seven hundred homes would typically own 1,400 vehicles and so the number of vehicle movements would be many thousands per day, but there are no plans to enhance the main roads.

“I do not think it’s necessary and I do not think the residents would be supportive of a development of this scale.

“Worried residents have come to me saying ‘what’s going on, we do not want this’.”

Cllr Sims said the plans will form part of Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan 2030, which looks at potential developments across Ashford over the next 25 years.

The so-called Large Burton Estate – opposite the existing Little Burton Estate – is one part of the whole development plan for the borough, which is due to be made public in early April.

If the plans get the thumbs up from residents, developers would be likely to submit applications around 2020.

Cllr Sims added: “It is a long way ahead yet but I would like residents to share their views early.”

The proposed site runs alongside the Downsview Guesthouse, which has recently been sold by Hobbs Parker to a mystery couple for nearly £1 million.

“Worried residents have come to me saying ‘what’s going on, we do not want this’” - Cllr Sims

However Cllr Sims insisted that the Large Burton Estate plans were “entirely separate” from the guesthouse’s recent sale.

He also added that the designated land is grade one agricultural land and has been ruled by the National Planning Policy Framework as “only to be considered under exceptional circumstances.”

He said: “There are no such exceptional circumstances causing this site to be chosen.

“I have always maintained that I will oppose any significant development in Kennington, unless the road infrastructure is improved to cope with extra traffic movements.

“I have not found anybody who is in support of such proposals.”

Residents wishing to share their views on the proposals should write to Ashford Borough Council planning officer Simon Cole at simon.cole@ashford.gov.uk or Cllr Sims at philip.sims@ashford.gov.uk.