Campaigners have raised fears of “contamination and particulates” being released into the air and water if plans for development right next to a disused landfill go ahead.

Developers stress that research shows the site near Snodland is safe to build on, and “it is factually incorrect to suggest potential groundwater contamination,” but that has not reassured those opposed to the scheme.

Late last year, developers Obee Estates submitted plans to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (TMBC) to build 150 homes, 3G football pitches and a clubhouse on the former Oast Park Golf Course, near Snodland.

The site off Castle Way is earmarked for a new ground for Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club, and chairman Jon Michel told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in February that the club was “desperate” for new facilities.

However, the proposals have attracted criticism from several locals, who fear environmental damage could be caused by the development process.

Birling resident Helen Padgham, whose home overlooks the site, told the LDRS: “We don’t actually know the full extent of what was dumped.

“When you start unearthing that kind of thing, you’re releasing into the atmosphere all kinds of particulates and contaminants.

“There’s also a significant worry of the waterways being polluted by rubble and what have you being removed, and water that is currently in the ground contaminated being let into the waterways locally.”

Environmental reports on the site and the application explain “an inert historical landfill was located immediately east of the site which was noted to have incurred various waste infringements, including overtipping and non-compliance of permitted waste, resulting in the landfill being closed in 2016.”

Another report mentioned the risk of asbestos having been dumped there, but soil samples have not shown any asbestos contamination.

Soil and water sampling has taken place at the site, which the developers stress found “no evidence” of contamination and a “very low” risk of harm to residents.

The Environment Agency has also accepted the findings.

An abandoned fuel pipeline also runs underneath the site, which was a golf course until it closed in 2017.

Ms Padgham continued: “It’s scary what might happen.

“Nature has reclaimed this site and it really should be left back to nature.”

The site is both in the Kent Downs National Landscape - formerly known as AONBs - and the Metropolitan Green Belt, where stricter rules on development apply.

Fiona Parker-Cole is spearheading the campaign against the development, which she calls “conservation not construction”.

She said: “I walk here every day and I see a stream that should be blue and beautiful and it’s orange; it has a film on top of it.

“Most of the site has been rewilded, so nature has covered up the sins of the landfill but I feel that once this starts getting dug up, everything’s going to get concentrated and we’re going to have contamination in a beautiful green belt area.

“I don’t even let my dog go in the stream because it looks toxic.

“I think it should be left to nature, I think it should be left to us locals to enjoy and take in the beautiful trees and the scenery.”

She said she supports grassroots football, but argued that the football pitch is merely a “carrot”, and the real goal is “money that comes from housing and trying to reach targets for the council”.

When the LDRS visited the site, piles of old waste could be seen, as could an orange film over the water.

The clubhouse proposed is 560 square metres, sitting next to stands for 250 spectators by one of the 3G pitches.

Obee is also proposing a new “sports hub” featuring a driving range.

A spokesperson for Obee Estates said: “We are committed to delivering responsible and appropriate development at Oast Park that will regenerate and improve a disused site and provide much-needed local sports facilities and new homes.

“Thorough investigation work, surveys and reports prepared as part of the current planning application provides evidence that it is factually incorrect to suggest potential groundwater contamination as a result of development.

“The Environment Agency has confirmed its acceptance of the findings and conclusions and has suggested various planning conditions that will ensure ongoing testing through the construction phases.”

The application is due to be considered by Tonbridge and Malling council later this year.