Plans for a sprawling development on the outskirts of a village including 1,650 new homes, a new primary school and care home have been submitted.

The controversial scheme proposed in Birchingon also involves an expansion of the village's medical centre, a new link road and a network of cycle and pedestrian routes.

Consultation events were held last year and in 2019 by Ptarmigan Land and Millwood Designer Homes, the firms behind the plan, where residents spoke out against the scheme, warning the development will cause the community to collapse.

But an outline planning application has now been submitted to Thanet District Council, setting out proposals for the site off Canterbury Road.

Plans include a two-form entry primary school, residential home, a nature and heritage park, edible landscapes and community orchards.

Developers also want to create a three-acre multi-purpose sports playing field, a skate park and a village cricket green.

If approved, there will also be a new road between Minnis Road and Canterbury Road, 36 play areas and spaces, and new habitats alongside the hundreds of homes.

Ptarmigan Land and Millwood Designer Homes outline how a third of the site will be "strategic green infrastructure" and insist they will also make financial contributions towards the expansion of existing secondary schools and special educational needs provision, as well as funding to expand Birchington Medical Centre.

Homes will have between one and five bedrooms, and developers have earmarked 30% as affordable - such as shared ownership, 'help to buy' properties and social rented homes.

They say their planned mixed-use community hub will include the school, a convenience shop, a multipurpose building comprising co-working, community space and café, and a new landmark public square.

In a statement following last year's consultation, Ptarmigan and Millwood said they are striving to create a new inclusive, walkable and vibrant neighbourhood with a "distinct identity that respects the character of Birchington".

But residents fear the sprawling development will destroy Birchington, saying they feel unable to stop it happening.

Speaking during the public meetings last year, many flagged up concerns over the strain on the village and its services, with additional traffic as well as destruction of agricultural land.

Objections have already started coming in against the scheme, with one appealing to the council to consider the people of Birchington.

Another warns of the catastrophic impact on wildlife and loss of prime agricultural land.

To see the full plans and to comment visit https://planning.thanet.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search planning reference OL/TH/20/1755

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