New homeowners expecting a lush green space at the heart of their estate feel “short-changed” by the “ugly urban desert” they have been left with.

Digital brochures for Bay Square in Herne Bay town centre boast of “access to a communal garden”, but residents say the reality bears little resemblance to what was advertised.

While there is a grass area out the back, the lack of trees, flower beds, shrubs, benches and wildlife is causing concern - especially as no one has their own garden. The front doors open straight onto Richmond Street and Hanover Street.

The developers behind the project say Canterbury City Council advised against planting trees, while the depiction of the benches was "artistic licence".

They say that shrubs will be planted in the next few weeks.

But residents speaking to KentOnline at the estate this week expressed their disappointment over the green space.

“It really doesn’t look great compared to the leaflet from the estate agents,” Kay Blacker said.

“In the pictures there were a few bushes and trees. It would have been nice to have some flowers - but right now it’s just an ugly bit of grass.

“It could have been a nice place to take the kids outside there. It would look nice at least if we had some benches.

“We could have just had more parking space if that’s all they were going to do with it - I feel a bit short-changed.”

The £20m residential scheme just off Herne Bay High Street was completed last year after Guildmore developers transformed a derelict bus garage into the 50-home estate.

A post on Guildmore’s website describes a “lush landscaped area for residents to enjoy”.

But one of those living there, Ms Whelan, who declined to give her first name, says it's a shame the green space doesn't match the pictures.

“It’s a lovely estate, but the finishing touches weren’t that great," she said.

“Once the houses were built they cleared up and left pretty quickly.

“It would have been nice if they had made the green space how it was supposed to look.”

The properties have been marketed by estate agents Miles & Barr and cost up to £410,000.

Included in the online brochure for apartments and houses is a disclaimer that reads: “Please note that some of the images used are computer generated and subject to changes.”

One of Ms Whelan’s neighbours has tried to make changes of her own to the outdoor area by planting a few daffodils on the edge of the otherwise unadorned grass area, which is somewhat patchy and unweeded.

The only other feature of the “garden” is a large green transformer box.

Local Green Party campaigner and Herne Bay resident Michael Vince has written to Guildmore’s CEO Engin Ertosun to complain about the difference between what the town was "promised" and what his firm delivered.

“Your sales agents published some glossy marketing images with attractive landscaping and your website promised residents 'lush greenery' to enjoy,” writes Mr Vince.

“Unfortunately, this has not been delivered.

“The actual landscaping has no trees, no flower beds, no shrubs, no benches and no wildlife.

“It is an ugly urban desert in the middle of our town which does not match your company’s promises.”

“I don’t think Bay Square is a bad development, but I feel very sorry for the people who live there - given that they don’t have gardens of their own, they should have a green space that is nicely maintained."

Guildmore's senior land manager Josh Cramer says at the time that the project was approved, Canterbury City Council had indicated that trees were not to be planted in the garden - a claim contested by Canterbury City Council.

"I have approved details from the city council - what they’re asking for is small herbaceous shrubs are planted that will mature over time less that 1.5m in size," said Mr Cramer.

"When we were doing the garden it was winter, so if we had planted small shrubs or something it would have just died..."

"When we were doing the garden it was winter, so if we had planted small shrubs or something it would have just died.

"Shrubs are going to get planted in the next few weeks."

When pressed about why park benches had not been put in, the building boss said: "Park benches are more of an artistic licence thing."

"How much is a park bench?" he asked.

"[It] seems like something we could look into. Let’s get the shrubs in first and then once they’ve taken we can look at further landscaping.

"But shrubs are going to be put in soon and I do hope the residents are pleased with them."

"Park benches are more of an artistic licence thing..."

Council spokesperson, Leo Whitlock said: "There seem to be some crossed wires in this case because, as a rule, we welcome the planting of trees.

"When the landscaping plan was submitted to the council, our tree officer warned the proposed locations would eventually see the roots from the trees lifting the block paving and, in an effort to be helpful, suggested the use of root barriers or shrubs as an alternative.

"Obviously, the other option would have been planting the trees in a slightly different place."

Miles & Barr were approached for comment.