An newly formed action group is gearing itself up to fight an unwelcome plan for 900 new homes on its doorstep.

The Broadwater Action Group (BAG) expects Berkeley Homes to submit plans imminently to build on Broadwater Farm between East and West Malling.

The group, which was only formed in February and already has 127 members, is busy researching the wildlife and history of the area in order to be best placed to oppose the application when it comes, as well as extending its membership base beyond the small communities in Well Street, Broadwater Road, Springetts Hill, Lavenders Road, The Heath and New Barns, who border the area threatened by the development.

Committee member Becky Robinson Hugill said: "No-one can call us Nimbys - there has been so much development go on in the area in recent years, it's already in our backyard!"

She said: "All we are trying to do is preserve the history of the area and protect our two precious conservation areas."

Berkeley has published its intentions on a website and what residents have seen has incensed them.

Mrs Robinson Hugill said: "The principal cause of concern is that they intend to access the site with a mile-long dual carriageway from the A228 running through Grade A virgin farmland and right across the conservation area."

The road will run close to the area's historic pond known as a cwylla, which was first mentioned in a gift of land made to the Bishop of Rochester by the Saxon King Edmund in 942AD.

Mrs Robinson Hugill said: "If the development really has to go ahead, the most obvious and least damaging access would be an extension from Kings Hill, but that land is controlled by a different developer, so we have this nonsense."

Meanwhile Berkeley Homes intends to limit access on some other local roads to cycles and pedestrians only and to block up part of Pikey Lane altogether.

The proposal effects two conservation areas.

Mrs Robinson Hugill said: "We dispute the need for more houses at all - the area is already full! But if the scheme must go ahead at least we want to see the best possible outcome that causes the least harm, so that we can hold our heads up and say, we did what we could."

The members reserve much of the ire not for the developer, but for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

The council has had its final attempt at a new Local Plan thrown back at it by the Government's planning inspectors.

Mrs Robinson Hugill said: "We know it's only on a technicality and the individual planning officers have done their best, but with no Local Plan, and particularly without a five-year land supply, the council has left us at the mercy of every speculative developer with an eye to the main chance.

"The recent grant on appeal for Wates to build 250 houses on the Forty Acres Field site in East Malling is a sad example."

She said: "Something has gone very wrong and the council needs to produce a clear roadmap as to how we get out of this mess."

A spokesperson for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said: "We are still confident that our Local Plan meets the ambitious housing targets government set for us and local housing needs. We are disappointed that our Local Plan is not yet in place after more than five years of work, especially as it would help to ensure that development takes place in appropriate places rather than through appeals against permissions which we have refused."

"We are now waiting for the final report from the inspectors."

Even should the council succeed in having its Local Plan accepted by the Government, there will be little relief for BAG members - Broadwater Farm is marked up in the council's document as a strategic development area.

For details on how to join BAG, visit here.

For details of the Berkeley Homes proposal, visit here.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

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