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Residents in a leafy town are furious at plans for a 150-home estate with football pitches and padel courts being built on land which they believe will ‘destroy’ the area.
Those campaigning against the proposals told MailOnline it will change life in Snodland, Kent, ‘forever for the worse’ and accused developers of using the football pitch like a ‘dangling carrot’ to get locals on side.
Larkfield and New Hythe Football Club is set to move from its base of 60 years to the former Oast Park Golf Club, just outside the town of Snodland near Birling.
Around 50 homes are planned to be built at the former club site, with another 150 at where the new football stadium will be, bringing the total number of houses across both sites to 200.
Developers also want the site for the new stadium to have a new clubhouse, a two-storey golf driving range and padel tennis courts.
Campaigners have hit out at the development, arguing it should not be built on a site that lies within the Kent Downs National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Green Belt land.
The plans have been submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, but residents have rallied together in protest against the development which they blasted as a ‘terrible idea’.
David Dilks, 55, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: ‘Snodland is a pleasant town and this will just destroy it. The developers have no idea what they are doing.
‘It will destroy the area. It is not thought through.
Pictured is the former Oast Park Golf Course where plans have been submitted to build a football stadium
This is a CGI of the proposed development, which would feature two 3G football pitches
Beauty therapist Anne Williams, 44, said she had concerns about the impact the new homes in two locations would have
Those campaigning against the proposals told MailOnline it will change life in Snodland (pictured), Kent, ‘forever for the worse’
‘The new football pitch is being used like a dangling carrot to get people in favour. Anything which helps young people out and gets them more motivated about life is brilliant.
‘But why does it need to come with new housing estates of affordable homes which will ruin the area. I fear affordable homes means cheap. And that brings undesirable people.’
Another local said: ‘We don’t want more council and affordable houses. Why can’t they leave things where they are? The plans sound ugly.’
Karen Hooker, 57, said: ‘I have lived here eight years and it’s a terrible idea.
‘The roads are dire as they are. Hundreds of new homes will make everything worse. Why can’t they improve things for people who already live here first?
‘It’ll just bring more people. They need to sort the infrastructure first. It’s a terrible idea.’
Beauty therapist Anne Williams, 44, said she had concerns about the impact the new homes in two locations would have.
She said: ‘Things like doctor’s surgery waiting lists need to improve first and I think the roads need to get better.
Karen Hooker (pictured), 57, told MailOnline: ‘I have lived here eight years and it’s a terrible idea.’
Teacher Samantha Lee (pictured), 25, moved into the area in January, unaware of the housing plans
MailOnline spoke to residents of Snodland, Kent where plans have been made for a new football ground and homes on former Oast Park Golf Club (pictured)
Residents voiced concerns over there not being enough infrastructure in the area to support new housing
The former golf course appears to have become run down and will be turned into a football pitch and housing estate
Locals claim that too many developments have been built in the area with not enough infrastructure
‘But if they have the infrastructure to support the application, then I support the plans.
‘Affordable housing is a good thing. It’s a great idea. I just ignore people who moan about anything locally.’
Pub owner Sherie Matthews said she supported the plans – but wanted the lives of locals to benefit as well.
The 28-year-old said: ‘It will bring us more customers which is great.
‘But there needs to be a balance. The roads are bad and a doctor’s appointment is like winning the lottery.’
Teacher Samantha Lee, 25, moved into the area in January, unaware of the housing plans.
She said: ‘Traffic is already a big challenge so I think all of this would just make it much more difficult.
‘It’s a lovely place, a lot of young families. So I can see why people would want to build homes here, but I am just not sure that is exactly the best place for it.’
Student Lawrence Adenipekun said Snodland was a ‘great’ place to live and backed the plans
David Dilks, 55, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: ‘Snodland is a pleasant town and this will just destroy it.’ Pictured is a church in Snodland
Student Lawrence Adenipekun, 17, said: ‘A new football pitch is a wonderful idea. I fully support it.
‘Snodland is a great place to live, I’d like more people to be part of it.’
Writing online, one local said: ‘I object to any form of new housing estates within and around Snodland. Too many developments in the area have been built or in planning yet no consideration is given to the roads, schools, doctors, dentists etc.
‘These extra developments will ultimately devalue our properties.’
Developers Obee Estates were approached for comment.