Plans to convert a farm building into hotel rooms on the site of a Grade II-listed manor mentioned in the Domesday Book have been snubbed.

Bosses at the picturesque Great Everden Manor in Alkham, between Folkestone and Dover, were hit with multiple objections from “shocked” and “horrified” residents.

They fear the extension is not suitable in the rural setting and could lead to the surrounding narrow country lanes being clogged up with extra traffic.

It was envisaged the building would be divided in half, with one section still for agricultural use and the other being used as a hotel.

A prior approval application sent to Dover District Council (DDC) reveals how the extension would include nine bedrooms and a lounge.

In a cover letter submitted on behalf of the applicants, it states the site is currently accessed via the rural single-track road Lockeringe Lane.

“At present, the access serves the two large buildings, used for agricultural purposes including storage, as well as serving the agricultural fields,” it said.

“It is evident that the vehicles used in conjunction with this use would typically include tractors and other agricultural vehicles.

“Whilst an element of agricultural use will remain, more than 50% of the building is subject to the proposed change of use, which will ultimately reduce the level of agricultural-related trips to and from the site.

“In view of this low level of vehicular trip generation and the reduction in agricultural vehicle movements associated with the proposed change of use, it is concluded that the proposals will not result in severe residual transport impacts.”

But more than 48 letters of representation were received by DDC, with 22 objecting to the proposals.

Jacqueline Holliman said she was “horrified” at the plans to build on the Great Everden estate.

“Extra traffic in the area would prove to be increasingly dangerous due to the narrowness of the lanes and lack of safe passing places,” she said.”

“Coaches try to get up Lockeringe Lane and even with signs saying it is unsuitable for HGVs as it is too narrow they still proceed and get stuck – then have to reverse out onto the Alkham Valley Road.

“In the past, we have had to go out and stop traffic to allow coaches to reverse and not hit our house, which leads to other safety issues.”

Another villager, Marilyn Bayly, said she was “shocked” to hear of the plans in the “peaceful area of our countryside”.

“Great Everden Manor is already a holiday complex with rowdy parties and floodlights disturbing local residents,” she said.

“This proposed hotel is just an extension of the holiday complex.

“Money seems to talk with little or no regard for the residents of this area who are the backbone of this idyllic community.”

Meanwhile, Pam Wilson argued the development would “adversly affect” those living nearby due to extra noise, light pollution and traffic.

“The effects of increased traffic will be felt by all who live on or use Lockeringe Lane and Fernfield Lane, as well as residents of Hawkinge as most, perhaps all, of the extra traffic will pass through Hawkinge,” she said.

“Coaches are already used to take guests to and from Great Everden, the local lanes are just not suitable for such vehicles, and I predict that this development will increase coach traffic. This is an accident waiting to happen.”

Alkham Parish Council also expressed similar concerns, stating the existing building is “in keeping with the rural setting”.

“This is an area with many stables and barns with riding available for the public, including children and disabled riders,” it said.

“We contend that it is not suitable nor is there a need for a hotel.”

The Environment Agency also objected to the plans as the applicant had not supplied “adequate information” to demonstrate the unacceptable risks posed to groundwater can be satisfactorily managed.

This was a sentiment shared by DDC, which published a report earlier this month revealing why the authority had decided to refuse the prior approval application for a change of use.

Responding to concerns over traffic, the case officer said: “Given the constrained nature and characteristics of the surrounding single-lane roads to access the site, particularly Lockeringe Lane, the proposal as submitted would have a severe impact on the local highway network and would not be acceptable in this regard.”

The authority did determine the proposed change of use would not create “unacceptable amenity issues relating to noise impacts” due to the considerable distance to neighbouring buildings.

But it said the plans had failed to demonstrate that they would not result in an “unacceptable contamination risks” to groundwater.

A spokesman for Great Everden said: “We are carefully considering comments made in respect to our proposal during the application stage and accordingly considering our options.”