TENTERDEN Town Council has vowed to fight plans at a public inquiry to build 145 new homes along with play areas, sports pitches and a country park.
Wates Development Ltd has lodged an appeal against a decision by Ashford Borough Council to reject the plan at Limes Land, which is the land behind Woodchurch Road and Appledore Road in Tenterden.
That appeal inquiry will open at 10.00 am on 8th February 2022, and in preparation the town council has decided to acquire expert advice.
Ashford Mayor Councillor Callum Knowles - who represents Tenterden South - said: "This is a case we do not want to lose.
"Ashford Borough Council is the planning authority, but this is a very serious issue for Tenterden Town Council as well.
"That is why it is right for the town council to fund expert legal support."
Tenterden Town Council first voiced opposition to the plans - along with local resident groups - back in June.
Tenterden Planning committee chairman Cllr John Crawford said: "The plan would place unacceptable pressure on the town, in particular Ivy Court Surgery.
"It would result in car dependency for the new residents and create further traffic congestion and gridlock, especially with parking outside schools.”
"And, as the former Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said, house building should not be at the expense of green spaces."
He also said the Limes Land proposals would not boost long term economic development or social sustainability, but significantly harm the environment and landscape.
With the introduction of the new environment bill and the implications of climate change, building homes in the right places now need to be considered more carefully.
Tenterden Mayor, Cllr Lisa Lovelidge, claimed that the idea of a country park on the development was 'laughable.'