New homes are to be built on a piece of wasteland which has been plagued by fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and drug users.

Owners The Sanctuary Housing Group will build two two-bedroom houses and three one- bed flats with gardens at the former A2 Tyres depot in Cowper Road, Sittingbourne.

Two parking spaces plus a cycle and bin store area will also be created.

The entrance to the flats and access to parking will be via Thomas Road.

Swale council received one letter of support and one letter of objection.

The main concern raised was the lack of parking at present.

A member of the public appealed for the development to be refused when he spoke at last Thursday’s planning committee meeting at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne.

He said: “There is nowhere to park – this is going to be a big problem. Where are we going to park if this goes ahead? The friendly nature in the neighbourhood will be a war of words and arguments.

“There’s already been vandalism in the area. It’s only been maintained once since 2009 and that was to see if they could put in foundations.

“Now it’s a flytipping site, there’s alcohol and drug use and its overgrown – it’s an eyesore.

“There is also a privacy issue. We don’t want people looking into our houses.

“It will also knock out the lighting.

“It will cause so many problems. People won’t want to live there anymore. None of the residents want it.”

A representative from the housing group spoke about the fact a previous application had been put forward for two three- bedroom houses at the site and pointed out the reduction in the number of bedrooms in the latest plans would go someway towards alleviating parking issues.

Cllr Martin McCusker (Lab) said: “This is a slight improvement but it doesn’t make the parking spaces any easier for people to deal with.”

Cllr Andy Booth (Con) said: “I’m happy with how it stands. I think the town centre is in dire need of development.”

Cllr Alan Willicombe (Con) said: It will tidy up that area and get rid of some of the problems the speaker was talking about so I will support it.”