Divisive plans to move part of a major concrete-making firm have been approved - despite fears it would destroy the “peace and tranquility” of a village.

Proposals for Brett to relocate their concrete batching plant five miles across Canterbury from Chartham to Bridge - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - were approved by officers at the city council last week.

Conditions attached to the approval of the plans include painting equipment dark olive green to match the surrounding wildlife and strict operational times from Monday to Saturday - with no work permitted on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

The scheme marks the end of an 11-year search for an alternative site, with the firm having operated in Chartham for more than 40 years.

But some neighbours fear any increase in lorry movements around the Highland Court Farm area in the village of Bridge will have a negative impact on their quality of life.

One objector, Neil Roberts, stated: "I always take a walk around the farm, enjoying the peace and tranquillity that this area provides me with and this major increase in vehicle movement will have a considerable effect.

"My office looks straight out over this land and the view will be completely destroyed.

“With the height of this building obscuring my views and reducing the natural light, this will have a major effect on my mental health.”

And with Bridge-based fruit-packing firm A Gomez already having multiple lorries coming and going each day, Heather Greenstreet claims the area cannot take any more.

"This will add considerably to the huge traffic movements caused there by Gomez staff coming and going, and the HGVs arriving and departing," Ms Greenstreet said.

"The traffic there is already too much. We cannot have it increased."

Traffic assessors say about 30 HGVs will visit the new batching plant each day.

Brett has had a base at Chartham since 1981, yet the site is deemed outdated and bosses want to relocate and upgrade.

In 2017, the city council advised the company that any extension to its site in Chartham would be rejected.

And national housebuilding firm Persimmon Homes believes the proposed relocation spot is ideally placed geographically to "serve the demands of the local concrete market”.

Simon Breen, a strategic land director at Persimmon, said: "To meet the aim of the emerging Local Plan to develop the 1,252 new dwellings per year it is essential that Canterbury has sufficient local capacity to supply the concrete required for the proposed developments.

"A plant at this location will service the demands of the local concrete market and especially the housing developments on the southern and eastern sides of Canterbury.

"In our opinion the application site is in an ideal location, with easy access to the A2, and will help reduce heavy traffic through the centre of Canterbury, which must be welcomed."

The firm, which employs seven people at its current concrete batching site, believes the move to the business-friendly location in Bridge will be beneficial for it and customers.

Brett bosses argued: “The current concrete batching plant at Milton Manor is ageing and is reaching the end of its operational lifespan.

“To ensure there is not a supply shortage of concrete in the district, a new plant is needed immediately.

“The proposed plant would be located in an area earmarked for business purposes with easy access to the A2.

"Our project will ensure the continuity of supply to the local area for building projects.”

The cost of the works was undisclosed, but bosses are calling it a "significant" investment.