A rugby club has defended its support for plans for nearly 700 homes.

Sittingbourne Rugby Club is backing Quinn Estates’ proposal to build on land off Wises Lane which would include a provision for a new clubhouse meaning it would be able to move from its current home at The Grove off Key Street.

The controversial development would also see a school, shops and a link road between Borden Lane and Chestnut Street built.

Members of Borden Residents Against Development (Brad) criticised Sittingbourne RFC for its November newsletter in which the club thanked members for writing letters of support to Swale council which is currently considering the application.

The message stated: “Thanks to the efforts of you, the members of SRUFC, we have managed to sign plenty of letters in support of the Wises Lane development, surpassing the target set to us by Quinn Estates.

“We now sit in wait for the decision that could change our future, but your fantastic efforts will only increase the likelihood of Bourne getting the new home it deserves. Thank you so much for all your support and keep an eye out for more details as they come.”

Nearly 500 comments have been submitted both for and against the development.

Members of Brad said that some of letters of support appeared to have come from a templated form.

Sittingbourne RFC chairman Roger Down said: “We have been offered a great opportunity to move from the premises which we have outgrown where we want to operate as a whole club with our junior and senior sections together.

“To be offered a solution to that problem, why would we not support it?”

“We recognise there is opposition but for us we can’t do anything but say yes because it’s a fantastic opportunity to be offered this after 40 years of looking.”

Objections to the development include the potential impact on traffic using the A249 and the loss of “high-quality” farmland.

A decision on the development is pending although a public consultation has ended.

As yet, no date has been set for the decision or when it might be debated by Swale council’s planning committee.