A parish council has "strongly" objected to plans for more than 100 new homes in a village notorious for flooding.

An application was submitted to Maidstone council in November by Nexus Planning, on behalf of Hallam Land Management, for up to 112 homes in Yalding.

The proposed 95,000 sq m development was earmarked for the western edge of the village, on two parcels of land north and south of Kenward Road, currently occupied by polytunnels.

If approved, 45 of the homes would be classed as affordable.

However, sitting between three rivers – the Beult, Teise and Medway – the area is known for being one of the county's most at-risk for flooding.

Yalding Parish Council is opposing the development, fearing the housing will affect how surface water drains from the site and saying the application has not sufficiently addressed the potential presence of springs there.

It also raised concerns over the effects of more cars.

In its submission to planners, the council said: "Despite having a railway station, located some way out of the village, the realistic day-to-day choice of transport other than private cars is limited.

"Bus services are [also] very limited and, as they primarily serve a widely dispersed and rural population, are under constant threat of review given current financial constraints.

"It is no surprise over 63% of local residents use a car for their journey to work.

"A continuing high level of car use into the future must be realistically assumed."

It continued: "Parking is also an ongoing issue in the village – particularly since the displacement of many cars and vans from the most recent development in the village, The Glebe, which in turn has led to increased pressure on the High Street and other streets.

"Yalding Parish Council is concerned to see no more on-street parking occurring in the village, but at the same time there are proposals for some current on-street parking in Kenward Road to be removed to accommodate access to the application site.

"In conclusion, it is considered the submission has not fully considered the potential impact of the development in terms of traffic and transport, flooding and landscape and visual impact."

The body says traffic surveys, which were submitted as part of the application, were carried out in October 2021 when the Covid pandemic was still in full swing, and does not provide a true reflection of traffic levels in the area.

The submission concludes: "Yalding Parish Council strongly objects to this planning application.

"We have consistently expressed a number of concerns regarding the site since it was first proposed to allocate the land for development.

"On reviewing the current application, these areas of concern have not been satisfactorily addressed.”

In the comments on the application online, Yalding Hill resident Nicky Jackson said: "Yalding has insufficient infrastructure to deal with an additional 100 homes.

"The village cannot presently cope with the traffic using its two single-lane bridges, and the prospect of around 200 more vehicles starting and ending their journeys within a few hundred yards of Town Bridge is unsustainable.

"During the construction phase there would inevitably be countless HGVs blocking the village roads and damaging the bridges."

Karen Jenkins, of Medway Avenue, added: "Town Bridge is chaotic at peak times with traffic backing up past Vicarage Road and the Lees.

“The strain on local services, particularly the school, does it have enough places? And does the doctors' surgery have capacity?

“I am opposed to this development as I believe the surrounding infrastructure is not sufficient to sustain such a large number of dwellings."

Hallam Land Management insists the estate would blend in with the village.

It stated: "Together, the 112 new homes can be delivered, with the proposed community facilities and landscape enhancements, in a way that is coordinated and viable."

You can view updates on the application by clicking here and searching for reference 23/505139/OUT.

A decision is expected by February 27.