Revised plans for a new 180-home estate in Faversham have been branded "purely cosmetic" by campaigners who still fear the development will damage its historic surroundings.

The amendments to the design and layout of the controversial scheme on 32 acres of farmland off Abbeyfields have been put forward in a bid to allay concerns.

But Harold Goodwin from the Faversham Society, which is leading the opposition to the latest application, says: "These changes are purely cosmetic and it's fundamentally the same scheme with the same problems".

The society fears a new housing estate on the land would lead to the "near-final erosion" of the historic environment of the area.

There are concerns over the impact on the neighbouring former abbey, which is a scheduled monument, and its "monastic" farm and associated conservation area.

In its submission to the council, the society says: "Should our assessment not be accepted, and it remains felt that the harm posed is 'less than substantial', then it is clear that the public benefits of the proposal are not sufficient to outweigh the less than substantial harm identified."

An application for the housing estate was first lodged in 2020, sparking a huge backlash.

Almost 80 residents objected, forcing the developer to go back to the drawing board.

Its revisions to the layout include measures to improve views across the countryside and towards the town - in particular, to the spire of St Mary of Charity church.

But Faversham Town Council also remains a staunch opponent, arguing that the site was rejected for housing in the draft Local Plan because it is open countryside close to important wildlife habitats and provides a green buffer to the town.

The developer's argument that Swale Borough Council's lack of a five-year housing land allocation should be a factor in favour of the scheme is also dismissed by the town council, which insists it should not be an "overriding consideration".

It also fears "irreparable damage" to the historic surroundings of the location.

Councillors also share the widespread concerns of residents over the traffic problems in Abbey Street and Whitstable Road that 180 new homes could cause, and the loss of farmland and its impact on nature.

But agents for the applicant say the development will include extensive public open space, beyond policy requirements, and ecological and biodiversity measures which they claim will result in a 10% net gain for nature.

They add: "It will meet housing need in a location highly accessible to local services, facilities and employment opportunities and public transport links."

All the planning application documents can be viewed on Swale Borough Council's planning portal by searching reference 20/500015/OUT.

Meanwhile, Faversham Town Council's draft neighbourhood plan is now out for public consultation until February 14.

The document is aimed at providing an "effective and consistent planning framework across the town council’s area", putting forward policies which future planning applications will be considered against.

For more information, go to Faversham Town Council's website.