Residents have been left 'shocked and devastated' after diggers ripped up part of a popular walking route.

Trees have been removed along a footpath off Upchat Road, Upnor, near Rochester, close to where a luxury, Grand Designs-style home is planned.

Medway Council officers have ordered the works to stop but residents have been left devastated by the impact they have had on the area.

Deborah Vine, who lives in Upper Upnor, said: "It's an enormous blow to the village because that footpath is the only safe footpath out of the village down to Lower Upnor.

"It's used on a regular basis by families and people walking dogs because it's safe. It's just been a delight to have that path and it's just shocking. We're just shocked that it's been allowed.

"I think it's just an absolute devastation. People are just absolutely shocked and horrified that something like this could happen under their noses.

She added: "Nobody had any idea it was going to begin. Apparently, there were no notices along the pathway so people had no idea it was happening."

Her neighbour Sarah Bright, who has lived in the village for 20 years, said: "I think it was about a week ago they started to cut the trees and now there is a massive bank that's been cut out in the last two days, it's about two metres deep.

"Lots of people will come to Upnor at the weekends and quite often park at Lower or Upper Upnor and walk along that pathway.

"There hasn't been any consideration of how many people use that walk for a nice weekend thing to do or just to get away from the roads.

"If you drive into the village, it's just what you expect to see and now there's a big interruption in that long walk.

"There's also lots of wildlife down there; I've seen a weasel and my neighbour said she's seen fireflies."

The works relate to plans to build a home which was described by Medway planning officers as a "one-off architectural home of 'exceptional quality'".

The plans - which were approved by councillors in October - include a grass-roof, pool, and a games room.

The developers sought planning permission through paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Head of planning Dave Harris described these homes as "the sort of dwellings you would see on Grand Design", adding how this development would be the first of its kind in Medway.

A report presented to councillors said: "Access to the proposed house is to be off Upchat Road,via a roadway that is to be cut out through the existing trees/foliage."

The plans were objected to by Historic England, Frindsbury Extra Parish Council, and the Dickens' Country Protection Society.

Medway Council confirmed it has told the applicant to stop the work until the conditions from a related planning application have been met.

The application details how the developer would refurbish a historic bell tower and gas lamps which are on site.

The permission is due to be decided by Friday, February 10.