Plans for new homes have been given the green light, despite villagers concerns over increased traffic at a ‘horrendous’ junction.

The eight houses – a mix of three- and four-bed – are destined for land east of Short Lane, in Alkham, near Dover.

After an application for the scheme was submitted to Dover District Council (DDC), 16 letters of objection were submitted from neighbours, as well as 11 in support.

Some said the development would cause more traffic and parking pressures in the village.

They added that the Short Lane access to the main Alkham Valley Road, is dangerous and has been the scene of numerous accidents.

One objector said: “We are repeatedly told that we cannot have traffic calming measures in Alkham - and yet the exit from Short Lane onto the Valley Road is one of the most dangerous parts.

“Adding additional cars onto Short Lane - probably at least another 16 - will add a disproportionate increase to the risk of a very serious accident occurring at the top of Short Lane.”

Speaking at DDC’s planning committee, in which the application was decided, Paul Tapsell, vice-chairman of Alkham Parish Council, said: “The access onto the Alkham Valley Road at the top of Short Lane is horrendous.

“If we have two cars per house, eight houses and four visitors that’s a total of 20 vehicles making at least four journeys a day.

“It’s going to be a significant increase in the amount of traffic on Short Lane.

“The local speed-watch team were out on Monday. They clocked a motorbike coming into the village at this location at 57mph, so nearly twice the speed limit. It is a very dangerous junction.”

Kent County Council’s highways department raised no objection saying that the planned new access could be created with enough visibility.

DDC officers recommended the planning committee approve the scheme and its members voted it through. This was by seven votes in favour, one against and one abstention.

The officers said that the access arrangement was acceptable considering the small number of houses planned.

A report from DDC said: “Overall, the proposed development is considered to provide a suitable access, turning, vehicle and cycle parking provision and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety.”

The scheme is to build two detached and six semi-detached homes of two storeys.

Three would be four-bedroomed and the rest would be three-bedroomed. Each home is designed with two off-street parking spaces, plus additional spaces for visitors.

Residents had also said that the site is on a flood plain, which is regularly engulfed during heavy rain.

They fear this development would mean more surface water runoff, so worsening flood problems at the bottom of Short Lane.

DDC officers said a flood risk assessment had concluded that the chances of this happening were low.

Applicant Michael Barnes told the meeting: “I did go down there after Storm Ciaran; there was no flooding.”

A total 11 letters of support for the application were sent to the council. They said housing was needed in the village and this site was suitable.

They also argued that a development of this size would have minimal impact on traffic levels passing through the village.