Residents have slammed “irresponsible” proposals for a 450-home estate on a flood zone amid fears insurance rates could skyrocket.

Dozens of people have commented on the application for the 35-hectare site off of Four Elms Road in Edenbridge.

Roz Dixon lives opposite a field alongside the River Eden, which has already flooded twice this year.

She said: “It’s really quite frightening when the water comes up. At the moment we’ve got a bit of wiggle room.

“However, if you concrete over that massive area of land and have all the water from there coming down the hill into the river, it’s going to back up.

“I’m sure I’m going to get flooded and I won’t be able to have insurance anymore.”

Planning company Pro Vision emphasised the properties will be built in the areas with the lowest probability of flooding and an on-site drainage strategy has been designed with climate change in mind.

But retiree Alan Smart believes there isn’t enough infrastructure to support the new development.

“I’ve lived here most of my life, I’ve seen firsthand the flooding we endure,” he said.

“As a child, I can remember putting out sandbags. I’ve had relatives whose houses were completely flooded in the not-too-distant past.

“There’s a very good reason why, as the town developed over hundreds of years, certain areas were not built on.

“It’s simply because everybody knows they flood – it’s common sense.”

Deepesh Makhija’s home near Bray Road overlooks the potential estate. Next to his garden is a small ditch, which was built for surface water runoff.

“Flooding is of concern, especially during autumn and winter,” he explained.

“The insurance is more for people who are closer to the river. In fact, a lot of homes near the river cannot be insured.

“It’s not too bad for me at the moment, but as more and more homes are built, the flood risk will increase and it could go up.”

In October 2020, an outline application was submitted for a 350-home estate along with a new medical centre, which opened its doors in November 2023.

Sevenoaks District Council approved plans for the development in January last year.

Now, a revised proposal is being put forward by Pro Vision on behalf of Cooper Estates.

The site sits on the green belt and would be made up of 450 homes, a secondary school, a twin hall for a Scout group and land for a youth centre.

There will be public open space and landscaping, as well as a new car park for the railway station.

Two extra access points off of the main road would also be created.

An updated design and access statement was published on Tuesday, January 28.

In the document, it said: “Due to the requirement to reposition the secondary school site closer to the access off Four Elms Road, a reconfiguration of the masterplan has taken place.

“Taking Sevenoaks’ housing shortfall into account, an additional parcel of land has been included within the development area, and a total of 110 additional homes proposed over the 340 already permitted.”

Pro Vision says that “all built development should be above, and outside of, the floodplain”.

However, the New Edenbridge Residents’ Association (NEDRA) is calling on local councillors to realise the severity of the situation.

Chairman Sally-Ann Vine is questioning why houses should even be considered for a flood zone when other areas are available.

She moved to the town in 2008 and believes it would be a “big blow” for Edenbridge if the plans are approved.

“We’ve got climate change to think about going forward,” she explained. “This problem is only going to get worse.

“If it is built on, there’s going to be less land for the water to drain away into.

“The developers will be thinking about sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) but I don’t think it’s adequate for what’s going to happen here – especially with the sheer volume of water that’s going to come off some of these surfaces.”

Sally-Ann has also been looking into the “unacceptable” release of excess sewage into the River Eden during periods of high rainfall.

KentOnline previously reported on flooding in October and most recently in January, following yellow warnings for thunderstorms.

Several surrounding roads were closed off, preventing residents from getting to Sevenoaks and Hever.

Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and BBC’s Antiques Roadshow expert, Lennox Cato, is also against the application.

The 63-year-old, who lives and works in the town, said: “There’s both responsible and irresponsible planning – this is irresponsible.

“You’ve got to look at the wider picture. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to think: ‘that’s a green spot, let's build on it’.

“There are other brownfield sites which need to be redeveloped and places that are quite run-down.”

The developer says it has “carefully analysed” the land and has consulted with various experts.

In the documents submitted to the council, it states: “The issues of access, ecology and flood zones have played an important part in the design’s evolution.

“The location for the school and residential areas have been reviewed within many stages to address the constraints and opportunities the site offers.”

Plans show the installation of several attenuation areas, which are used to temporarily store water and reduce the risk of flooding.

A spokeswoman for Pro Vision commented: “It is important to note the site already has planning permission for 340 new homes plus community facilities including land for a secondary school, new open space and ecological enhancements.

“That application was supported by SDC, Kent County Council, Environment Agency and Natural England.

“The revised application proposes 110 additional homes on a slightly larger site area (bringing the total new homes to 450).

“It also proposes to relocate the secondary school site closer to Four Elms Road, so that it can come forward sooner.

“New-built development is sited in the areas with the lowest probability of flooding and the on-site drainage strategy has been designed with an allowance for climate change.

“The surface water drainage strategy ensures the site can manage surface water runoff for the lifetime of the development without increasing the flood risk to the surrounding area.

“An ecological enhancement plan is also included to increase habitat and foraging opportunities.

“The application is supported by the necessary technical reports which demonstrate that the development can be accommodated without the adverse impacts cited by residents.

“The Environment Agency and Natural England have reviewed the technical work supporting the application and have raised no objections.

“This proposal will provide much-needed new homes, including 40% affordable housing, in a district with an acute housing need and significant shortfall in supply.

“It will also deliver land for a new secondary school as well as land and funding for a new youth centre and Scout hut.

“It will deliver accessibility improvements to the railway station, as well as provide funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy to help improve existing infrastructure deficiencies.”

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

As of Tuesday, February 4, members of Edenbridge Town Council have objected to the application.

They expressed concerns regarding the school plans, surface flooding on the site and impact on the road network.