These before-and-after pictures show how new-build estates have transformed parts of the Kent landscape over the past 10 years.

Using the “historical imagery” feature on Google Earth, we are able to show how sites across the county looked from the sky in 2015.

We can then compare this to our new drone images of the thousands of properties constructed on fields, former army barracks and even a golf course.

It comes as councils are under pressure to meet housing targets set by the Labour government, which wants 1.5 million additional homes built in the UK by mid-2029.

At the same time, almost every planning application for new housing faces opposition from existing residents, with many concerned about the loss of the countryside.

KentOnline has previously revealed how the percentage of land in each district taken up by residential buildings ranges from a high of 4.2% in Thanet to a low of just 0.7% in Ashford.

The tension between government aims and local concerns is exemplified by the proposals for the 8,400-home Highsted Park estate near Sittingbourne.

Earlier this year, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner controversially called in the application just hours before Swale Borough Council’s planning committee was expected to reject it.

How many new homes have been built in Kent since 2015?

While our aerial pictures show how huge numbers of new homes have been built over the past decade, this has not resulted in housing becoming any more affordable.

The average property price in the county in 2015 was £230,807, according to Land Registry data. Now it is £352,925, up 52%.

This rise was partly driven by a spike in 2020 following the first Covid lockdown, which resulted in working-from-home practices transforming almost overnight and hundreds of Londoners deciding to relocate to Kent.

The supply of homes is increasing. More than 31,000 new-builds have been sold in the county over the past decade. But demand for more - from prospective buyers and the government - remains just as strong.

A closer look at Kent’s new estates - use our slider tool to see the changes

Scores of new estates have sprung up in Kent since 2015 - but the biggest of all is Ebbsfleet Garden City.

Eventually, 15,000 new homes will be built on the land in north Kent, much of which is brownfield and was formerly used for quarrying.

While the houses have been constructed at pace, residents have raised concerns over delays to the arrival of long-overdue community facilities.

Another new estate, at the other end of the county, is the Shorncliffe Heights development in Cheriton, Folkestone.

More than half of the 1,200 homes Taylor Wimpey secured planning permission for in 2015 have now been built.

They have been constructed on the site of the former Shorncliffe Garrison, described as “the birthplace of the British Army”.

Fifteen miles away is the Chimington Green development, near Ashford.

Outline planning permission for 5,750 “quality homes” was granted early in 2017, despite strong opposition over so many properties being built on a greenfield site.

Two years ago, detailed proposals were submitted for future phases of the garden town, including a public square, supermarket and a full-size cricket pitch.

Moving back north again, 300 new homes are being built at the Otterham Park development in Rainham, Medway.

The land had been “farmed until recently”, according to planning officers.

It is advertised by Persimmon Homes as offering a mix of three- and four-bed homes, ranging in price from £430,000 to £485,000.

More fields have been turned into housing at Bicknor Wood in Otham, Maidstone.

Plans were approved in 2018 for Bellway to build 250 new homes there.

The developer is also constructing a further 421 properties at nearby Parsonage Place.

Meanwhile, in one town they’ve been building on the greens - at the former Herne Bay Golf Club.

Almost 600 new homes were approved for the site near the Thanet Way in 2015.

In 2022, developer Redrow said contracts had been exchanged on all of the 266 homes across the first three phases of the scheme.

In nearby Faversham, 330 new-builds are being constructed at the former Oare Gravel Works and gunpowder factory.

Faversham Lakes was even named the best large development in the UK in 2021.

People in the town are passionate about preserving its surrounding countryside - and have set up a group called Farms, Fields & Fresh Air to help fight plans for new estates.

The biggest proposed scheme is the Duchy of Cornwall’s 2,500-home development on land owned by Prince William near Brenley Corner.

Finally, Westwood Point is a Linden Homes development being constructed on fields off Nash Road, Margate.

Thousands of new homes are planned in the area, including the 1,500-home Humber’s Mill estate.

A GP practice, care home, assisted living building and nursery are set to be built under the banner of Westwood Health Campus.

A further 1,600 homes have been approved for nearby Birchington.

Housebuilding in Kent shows no signs of slowing down.