'Here we go again' was the universal groan from Fant residents as another leaflet landed on their doorsteps about proposals to build nearby.

Gleeson Developments has downgraded its Fant Farm plan from the scheme it originally proposed last October.

The company now wants to build 255 homes, instead of 270 and has abandoned plans to create a country park on the rest of the site.

It is proposing a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, no higher than two storeys.

It said its new design took more account of the natural landscape, with the principal access providing “long views” across the River Medway.

The company has yet to submit a formal planning application to Maidstone council.

Barbara Skinner, of Gatland Lane, Fant, said: “It’s the same old, same old. They just don’t seem to understand the word ‘No’.

“We just can’t take any more development in this area. We have a narrow lane, an old bridge at East Farleigh and we are already facing the prospect of traffic from the 1,100 new homes planned for Hermitage Lane heading our way.”

Since Gleeson first floated the idea of development at the farm, several planning issues have gone against them. The site was put forward by the borough’s planning officers for inclusion as a development site in the draft Local Plan, but was taken out by the council’s cabinet in January.

More recently, the council has voted to include Fant Farm in its River Medway Landscape of Local Value, which should give the area extra protection in future.

Gatland Lane resident Brian Skinner was not confident. He said: “All our local councillors make the right noises about defending Fant Farm, but I’ve attended several council meetings now.

“It seems they often cave in when the officers tell them they will lose at appeal.”

But Cllr Matt Boughton, newly elected for the area in May, was more optimistic. He said: “I’m incredibly disappointed the developers are pursuing this despite the area being included in the Landscape of Local Value.

“I will be fighting this. We won before and we shall win again.”

Cllr Stephen Paine said: "It's frustrating that Gleeson wants to pursue this scheme, especially after the council have designated the whole valley a Landscape of Local Value in the emerging Local Plan.

"While the new proposal involves fewer houses, they are spread out over a wider area - stretching further down the valley and potentially having a greater visual impact.

"I'm also really concerned that Gleeson has removed any reference to a large country park or open space to the south of the scheme.

"While residents had legitimate concerns about extra footfall, a park - or better still a nature reserve - would have prevented future development sprawling down the valley. Now that assurance has gone.

"The application has not been submitted yet and residents still have a chance to tell the developer what they think about these proposals - I urge them to do so and will be working with others to raise awareness about how they can do so."