The house builders plan to deliver the huge masterplan in four phases over two decades on a 415ha site at Chilmington Green.

The controversial plans submitted to Ashford Borough Council are for three distinctive neighbourhoods with a high street, a secondary school, four primary schools, a park and extensive areas of formal and informal green space.

Hodson Developments, Jarvis Homes, Pentland Homes and Ward Homes are backing the scheme with a design team led by John Thompson & Partners and engineering consultant WSP, landscape consultant Grontmij, Sellwood Planning and Ian Bull Consultancy.

Ian Bull, project manager for the consortium, said: “Plans for Chilmington Green re-invent Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City principles for the 21^st century.

“Garden Suburbs based on Howard’s principles have stood the test of time and continue to set a benchmark for new communities.”

A renewable energy strategy and extensive areas of natural green space will also contribute to the community’s environmental sustainability.

Richard Hutchings, project director at engineering consultancy WSP, who prepared all the engineering and environmental designs, said: “There were several challenges with this project but our considerable expertise in sustainable urban planning meant we were able to develop effective transport, utilities and drainage strategies that will ensure efficient delivery of this major urban extension.

“Perhaps most significant was the development of a sustainable transport strategy that resolved existing capacity problems on the A28 corridor by reducing reliance on private vehicle travel and promoting alternative options such as walking, cycling and public transport.”