Diggers and workmen are ready to start work on building Ashford’s largest ever housing estate.

More than 5,700 houses will be built by a consortium of housing developers around the Chilmington Green area to the south west of the town.

The scheme was granted outline planning permission in October 2014, despite fierce local opposition to the plans.

The new estate will include a new countryside park, a new secondary school, four new primary schools, a high street with shops, and a market square.

It is expected to bring in more than £100 million in section 106 contributions to Ashford Borough Council and is considered one of the town’s “big eight” projects.

Section 106 cash will be used to boost infrastructure such as the new junction 10a, and the widening of the A28 Chart Road near Godinton Park.

The houses will be built by developers such as Barratt Homes, Ward Homes, Jarvis Homes, Hodson Developments and Pentland Homes.

Each developer will need to submit specific planning applications for the various phases of building work.

Work is expected to last for well over a decade at the site.

The Chilmington plans were the subject of a major protest by residents living close to the development area and conservationists fearful of its impact on the countryside.