Villagers who fear plans for three new homes could be a “recipe for disaster” have been branded opponents “Nimbys” by the applicant.
Louisa Smith’s proposals for the additional dwellings in Preston Hill, Wingham, near Canterbury, have been given the green light by Dover District Council (DDC).
One four-bed and two three-bed homes can now be built on a residential garden behind an existing property.
Previously, permission was granted for three holiday lodges on the site in 2022, but this has not been enacted.
At a meeting of DDC’s planning committee on Thursday night, one resident, who wished not to be named, said the new scheme would cause further danger along the already congested Preston Hill.
It comes after protesters shouted “shame on you” as councillors approved plans for 17 homes in nearby Gobery Hill in Wingham at the third time of asking. The controversial scheme attracted more than 250 objections as safety concerns were raised over the installation of a new pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Preston Hill.
The speaker on Thursday said: “There’s an under-prescribed amount of parking available. Stating extra spaces will be available on Preston Hill is becoming increasingly unlikely.
“Recently, this committee approved the nearby Gobery Hill development, meaning double yellow lines will be extended up Preston Hill, in turn pushing parking beyond the proposed access.
“This will make it doubly difficult to enter onto Preston Hill, while traffic passing by parked cars will be on the wrong side of the road.
“This is plainly dangerous and a recipe for disaster, and surely deserves an expert highway review.
“In light of recent developments that impact highway safety, residents ask the committee to request a highway consultation.
“If the number of houses in this garden could be reduced from three to one, this would keep the proposed development more in character with the area, whilst retaining natural land around the site.”
But Kent County Council (KCC), the chief highways authority, has raised no objections.
The average property price in Preston Hill is £470,000, according to Rightmove.
Speaking at the meeting, applicant Ms Smith argued opponents were acting like Nimbys.
She said: “The immediate neighbours have objected to houses. This is simply Nimby behaviour, not in my backyard, which the government have said we must avoid as we need to meet the housing target.
“These homes have been designed very sympathetically towards the neighbours, with no windows facing directly into any neighbouring properties, and the two access tracks would cut down on traffic.
“Both KCC and Public Rights Highway have stated they do not see a problem with the access routes or sight lines.”
In total, 39 objections were logged against the application, with 16 in support.
But no reasons to refuse the scheme could be identified at the meeting.
Cllr James Back (Con) said: “Wingham Parish Council raised no specific objections. This site lies behind the bungalow at the front, so it is not visible from the road.
“There are no planning grounds to refuse this application, and that is what this committee must make decisions on.
“So I move to accept the officer’s recommendation to grant permission.”
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
Overall, the application was unanimously approved with 10 votes in favour.
The decision was granted subject to a condition that an agreement over a policy complaint bio diversity net gain is achieved in collaboration with KCC Ecology.
