Angry residents say their town is crying out for more doctors and schools as they fight plans for hundreds of new homes on flood-prone land.

Campaigners in Paddock Wood say “enough is enough”, insisting vital infrastructure must come before another wave of development.

Protest group Stop Over Development in Paddock Wood (SODPW) have staged a demonstration against proposals for up to 520 new homes on land at Badsell Farm and East Capel.

Although still at the consultation stage, developer Dandara Homes is seeking feedback on plans that include a health and wellbeing hub and new sports facilities.

Founding member of SODPW, Ros Tucker, led campaigners armed with banners and posters outside Paddock Wood Community Hub on Wednesday, as the developer held its public drop-in session inside.

Ms Tucker, who has lived in the town for 30 years, said: “We’re not against development, we’re not saying we don’t want any houses, what we’re saying is we’ve got 50% or more of the borough’s allocation of houses coming to Paddock Wood.

“It’s going to take a huge chunk of land out of the side of Paddock Wood - a really popular dog-walking area. It’s an area that floods quite a lot and backs onto a huge number of houses.

“They are offering us a health hub, which doesn’t mean a GP service, so we’re not going to have any additional GP service coming in.

“We’ve had enough now, and we can’t have any more housing without having infrastructure.”

In response to the concerns, Dandara told KentOnline it was working closely with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure the necessary infrastructure and healthcare services are “delivered in line with the growth of Paddock Wood”.

The developer explained that flood mitigation measures and protection for local habitats and species is “central” to its plans.

Speaking to KentOnline, members of SODPW explained their main concerns relate to development on flood plains, the increase of traffic on the road, the impact on protected species and green spaces, and the lack of infrastructure, from schools to GP surgeries.

Katie Skelton, who joined this week’s protests, believes the developers should not be building on flood zones and wants to know how Dandara plans to mitigate the risks.

She also has concerns over infrastructure, adding: “There’s really bad GP waiting times at the moment, the schools are full, people are struggling to get their kids into primary school, we’ve got one primary and one secondary school, so we’re quite stretched.”

Maxine Tull, who has lived in the town for three years, says group members want to preserve and celebrate the green spaces and safeguard the 10 protected species in surrounding fields, hedgerows and woodlands.

She added: “My concern is we’ve got a lot of development going on, but not a lot of investment in the infrastructure.

“We definitely need a new GP, schools and upgrades to the roads.”

Joining the protests with a megaphone in hand, Paddock Wood town councillor, Ray Moon, said: “We’ve got to have somewhere to live, our children have got to have somewhere to live, grandchildren need to have somewhere to live - I’m not against building, but we must have the infrastructure.

“The GP surgery cannot cope, our schools cannot cope, the network’s foul water and surface water just cannot cope - enough is enough.

“We need a new network for foul water and surface water before we build any new houses.”

And for one resident, the flooding risk is already a reality.

Chelsea, who did not wish to give her last name, lives in Paddock Wood and said: “My garden floods continuously, especially when it really rains - it’s like a pool.

“If these new developments do go ahead, I’m scared how much worse my garden would flood.”

“I don’t think this is the right place for new homes; we’ve already got a lot of new developments.”

Dandara maintains that the proposals have been designed to manage surface water and reduce flood risks even in extreme weather.

The company is working closely with the Environment Agency, Kent County Council and Upper Medway Drainage Board to produce flood defences and said any mitigations will be approved by the flood authorities prior to any planning approval.

The housebuilder also says proposals will retain almost six times the amount of open space required by local policy, to provide space for play, wildlife and planting.

Dandara explained the proposed Health and Wellbeing Hub is subject to agreement with the NHS, which will take forward proposals in line with its own growth plans, while education provision is expected to be delivered off-site.

A Dandara spokesperson said: “Our proposals for Badsell Farm aim to create a thriving, sustainable community that meets housing and infrastructure needs as identified by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in its emerging Local Plan.

“The plans include a mix of homes, including affordable housing, generous green spaces, play areas, and a health and wellbeing hub, alongside walking and cycling routes and public transport connections to improve connectivity.”

“We are working closely with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure that the necessary community infrastructure, including healthcare, is delivered in line with the growth of Paddock Wood.

"Flood mitigation measures and protections for local habitats and species ensuring a substantial biodiversity net gain are also central to our plans. Engagement with the community remains a priority, and we thank residents for their input as we continue to develop our plans."

For more planning applications in your area visit the Public Notice Portal.

You can share your views on Tunbridge Wells borough council planning portal, reference: 25/01876/EIASCO