Furious residents have slammed “outrageous” plans to build 23 new homes in an area they say is already overdeveloped.

Clague Architects is preparing to submit a bid to develop a horse field off St Edmunds Road in Great Mongeham near Deal.

Bosses will seek permission from Dover District Council for 16 self-build homes and seven affordable properties on a site they describe as a “sustainable location”.

But neighbours have described the scheme as “disappointing” – and all seven residents KentOnline spoke to at a public consultation last week were against the plans.

Paris Townend, who lives in St Edmunds Road, fears traffic flow will get worse as the area is already heavily built up.

“It’s already extremely tight – some nights we struggle to get to the corner of where we live,” she said.

“When there are cars parked on either side it makes it extremely difficult to get through. Ambulances and fire engines are going to really struggle to get through.”

Mrs Townend’s husband, Joel, added: “I think it’s outrageous. With rush-hour traffic everyone will be trying to leave at the same time. That part of it is going to be a nightmare for all of us on the road.”

Other residents pointed out there is already a development of 100 detached homes less than a mile away at Cross Road, Deal.

Jennifer Esposito said: “It is unnecessary, in view of all the other building work that is going on in the area. Another 37 homes are also being built nearby.

“This field forms part of the green envelope of the village.”

Clague, which is based in Canterbury, says it is not possible to say what the self-build homes will cost “as each plot owner will decide on the design of their home”.

It says a ‘registered provider’ will be responsible for the affordable homes, but the ratio of rented, shared and homes for first-time buyers is yet to be agreed, meaning prices are not known.

But anxious resident Lee Morton says he is “very disappointed” with what bosses are proposing.

“There is no thought for the residents living there already living in St Edmunds Road,” he said.

“The access is far too narrow. It’s very busy for traffic as it is and with the proposed works traffic it is going to be absolutely inadequate.”

St Edmunds Road resident David Harmes is one of many who has fears over the loss of wildlife, saying the area is home to badgers and foxes.

“The field also floods, and it gets very muddy,” he added.

“Where is all that water going to go if this development happens?”

Clague, which held its public consultation at Betteshanger Sports and Social Club last week, says it intends to put in an outline planning application to Dover District Council in February.

Resident Tony Timperley submitted a written comment at the event, describing the bid as "yet another example of the saturation development taking place in the village of Great Mongeham”.

“It already suffers from continual traffic using the main road as a rat-run to avoid the very busy Dover Road,” he wrote.

But Christopher Sherlock-Scougall, an associate at Clague, says the site “could take a lot more units but we’ve kept it low density”.

“We have provided plenty of parking on-site for all the units,” he said.

“There are discussions about whether we can help alleviate some of the traffic issues from St Edmunds Road within our site, perhaps by providing visitors’ parking.

“That would be to relieve the on-street parking issues they have at the moment.”

Details on the exhibition’s information boards showed Clague estimates the development would lead to 11 two-way road trips in the morning peak period and 12 in the afternoon.

It believes the development would not have a severe impact on the local highway network and that it is likely vehicles would be relatively split in their direction north and south of St Richard’s Road.

The firm adds the new homes would be within walking distance of a primary school, GP surgery convenience store, church and pubs.

Following the exhibition, Clague added in a statement: “We received some positive feedback from members of the public which included comments that the proposal is of high quality and is attractive when compared to some developments in the area.

“A full transport statement will be submitted with the application which will consider the impact on traffic movements and local roads and demonstrate that the impact on the road network would be acceptable.

“Ecological surveys have been undertaken and will accompany a future submission including any mitigation that may be required.

“As a horse field the majority of the site has been heavily grazed, although existing trees and hedges on the boundaries will be retained and reinforced with native species.

“The current gate into the site is narrower than the access road but this would be removed to form the new entrance into the site and a full width road created within the site.

“If the application is approved an assessment of the condition of the current drains would be undertaken and any sewer runs within the site upgraded accordingly based on this assessment.

“The proposals are not ‘saturation development’ as there are only a small number of self-build schemes within the district.”