An abandoned hotel left derelict for 20 years could finally be redeveloped if the latest housing plans for the future of the site are approved.

The scheme is for the former Garden Hotel at Boughton, near Canterbury – a once popular, intimate wedding venue – which closed in 2005 and has become an eyesore, despite its historic Grade II listing.

The much-needed restoration of the old hotel building is largely welcomed by villagers who also accept that some new housing is inevitable to support it.

But it has led to a long-running planning saga, with residents of a neighbouring former Methodist Chapel - now divided into five flats - now “enraged” over the impact they fear the new housing will have on them.

A redevelopment of the almost two-acre site was first proposed in 2008 with the conversion of the hotel into three homes plus a further 10 new-builds, which was approved but later deemed “economically unviable”.

The hotel and land was then sold in April 2018 to Altimat Property Ltd, which unveiled a larger scheme for 19 homes.

The plans were brand “foolish” by villagers, with complaints over traffic safety issues, a lack of affordable housing, loss of on-street parking and overdevelopment.

With the application never officially decided by Swale Borough Council, Altimat has now submitted a revised proposal in response to the criticism - but it still features 19 new homes, including the conversion of the hotel to three residences.

Access to the small new housing estate will be via a brick road which runs right next to the former chapel and is used by its residents for their parking.

Karen Ahern owns her flat in the building and is appalled at the prospect of heavy construction traffic a few feet from her door.

She also fears that up to 40 cars a day will be going to and from the development when it is finished.

“This road is meant to be for us residents, but apparently the developer has been granted ‘easement’ over it,” said Miss Ahern, who is a child support worker.

“They will have to dig it up and put down a proper road to cope with the construction traffic and it will just be horrendous.

“I came here because it was supposed to be nice and quiet. But all we have to look forward to now is disturbance and noise.

“Everyone wants to see the hotel building restored because it’s in a terrible state. But the fact is that 19 new homes is just too many.”

Her fears are echoed by neighbour Charlie Robson, who added: “The impact of the construction traffic will be unbearable and there are serious implications for residents here.

“We need this road for our access and parking and there are serious questions about access onto the Street.”

To support the application, the company has produced a slick, computer-generated video showing the leafy setting of the new garden-style development.

The developer claims to have addressed the concerns raised previously, including providing a new transport statement to address perceived highway issues, and a new biodiversity net gain report.

The revised application also includes proposals to remodel an adjacent methodist chapel wall to ensure suitable access sight lines to the development can be achieved.

Agents for Altimat say they hope the amendments are “adequate” and the council is now able “to progress the applications to a positive recommendation”.