This requires the local authority to give its formal views on environmental issues and other factors that could impact the proposals.

As well as the properties, the developer is looking to include new roads and public open space within the project.

The area around Brogdale Road has seen its fair share of new housing in the past decade, with the 310-home Perry Court estate opposite and 63 properties in the neighbouring Brogdale Place development.

The land Persimmon wants to build on was submitted through the Call for Sites process as part of SBC’s efforts to build a Local Plan, where it was identified as being “potentially suitable” for up to 400 homes.

The plot is about the size of 19 football pitches and was most recently used as arable agricultural land.

Persimmon argues this means building homes here will not have significant environmental effects.

The next step is likely to see representatives from the housebuilding giant attend a Faversham Town Council planning meeting next month to explain its plans.

A Persimmon Homes spokesperson said: “Persimmon Homes South East is exploring the possible development of land at Brogdale Road, Faversham.

“Preparatory works are now underway on a planning application for up to 250 homes, including a mix of open market and affordable homes, a new access road from Brogdale Road, internal roads, car parking, landscaping and public open space.”

Housebuilding in Faversham has been a controversial issue in recent years.

The town has several applications outstanding for thousands of potential new homes, all of which are awaiting decisions from SBC’s planning department and councillors.

The majority of these are from the Duchy of Cornwall’s 2,500-home project and, further afield, 1,815 properties at Winterbourne Fields at Dunkirk, just off the A2 between Faversham and Canterbury.

Hundreds more have already been approved – such as 70 additional houses at Faversham Lakes and a further 438 at Lady Dane Farm by two different developers.

The 250-home Ham Farm estate, which was approved earlier this year, is facing a legal challenge from the town council.

Find out more about planning applications where you live by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Opponents are now crowdfunding to pay for legal fees and are hoping to raise up to £100,000 to fight the scheme through a judicial review.

The campaign - supported by Save Ham Marshes, The Faversham Society and the Faversham Creek Trust - has raised £35,000 so far.

Faversham Town Council is keen to see building take place on brownfield sites across the town, having introduced a neighbourhood plan which promises 200 homes in the town centre by 2038.

Last year, SBC suggested Faversham could shoulder the bulk of new housing across the district, prompting accusations the town was being “sacrificed” to meet government targets.