Villagers are uniting against plans for 49 new homes on fields in their village saying there is enough development already and concerns about traffic.

The plans for the development in Monkton were submitted to Thanet District Council in April for the disused agricultural land.

But residents are protesting against the proposals from Heyhill saying the village will be swamped with the additional homes.

A public consultation had 55 objections to the scheme alongside opposition from Monkton Parish Council and Kent Highways.

Chief among the concerns was access to the site by narrowing the road creating "pinch points" close to Monkton Primary School in the heart of the village.

Beth Johnson, speaking on behalf of dozens of residents against the plans, said: "The agricultural land in question whilst lying fallow now, has until very recently been a productive field and is now a wonderful wild flower meadow.

"Double decker buses which now serve the village already have to go in the middle of the road at the narrowest point to get through, as does the large farm machinery."

Parish councillors highlighted 10 concerns relating to traffic in the village describing the designs as "extensive and invasive" adding issues about sight, road narrowing, parking and increasing traffic caused by the development and in neighbouring villages.

In a statement to TDC planners, parish clerk Sara Archer said: "Villagers are deeply concerned that in order for the development to gain approval, permission is being sought to introduce a radical highways scheme that could potentially bring traffic to a standstill with width restrictions and traffic prioritisation, and by disallowing on-street parking for properties with no garages or driveways create problems for car owners in the village having nowhere to park.

"The parish council, in representing the views of villagers, has asked TDC that this scheme and all its inadequacies in terms of road safety is firmly refused."

Kent Highways say the plans should be refused with officer Richard Smith describing the plans as "likely to have a severe impact on the highway", adding the plans do not provide safe access.

Mrs Johnson added: "Monkton is essentially a rural linear village straddling a winding and in some places narrow street, where houses jut straight onto it.

"It has none of the facilities which most people would consider necessary for modern life, except for a small school, a village hall, and a limited bus service, and this means that there are already a disproportionate number of cars per existing household to enable people to go about their daily lives."

Residents say 32 homes are already planned for the village with an appeal pending for a further nine.

"We feel strongly that this is as much development as Monkton can assimilate, particularly taking into account the existing pressures on local services," Mrs Johnson said.

"We recognise that people need homes but we feel that there are already plans for enough in our village and we are also concerned that all other matters regarding this development are reserved until outline planning is granted, at which stage the plans might be changed."

Ward councillor Reece Pugh (Con) is asking for TDC's planning committee to consider the plans, saying: "This proposed application is an opportunistic attempt by the landowner to take advantage of the Draft Local Plan yet to be adopted. I was proud to join the protest with villagers.

"I am greatly concerned about this proposed planning application and the pressures that these homes would put on Monkton, particularly the notion that narrowing Monkton Street at it's already narrowest point will somehow help to alleviate the frequent issues of farming vehicles and buses being able to use the road.

"Furthermore, Thanet District Council found this site to be unsuitable when it was offered for consideration in the call for alternative sites for the Draft Local Plan.

"I have requested that this application be brought before the planning committee for consideration and I will be voicing my concerns in person at this meeting, where I hope it will be rejected."

A decision from planners is expected in the summer.

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