Controversial plans for a 170-home estate have been given the green light despite fears of nearby roads being “increasingly unsafe”.

A proposal to develop the former Conningbrook Mineral Depot in Kennington was first proposed more than two years ago.

Brett Aggregates and DHA planning were looking to turn the former aggregate and mineral storage site into a “sensitively designed, high-quality housing scheme with a varied mix of homes that are appropriate to meet local need,” planning documents say.

The proposals are the second phase of the larger Conningbrook Lakes development, and sit alongside 300 homes already built as part of the scheme, next to the Julie Rose Stadium.

The site, which is in Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) Local Plan, is close to the Crown Hill View ‘Large Burton’ development where 725 homes could eventually be built.

At a meeting of ABC’s planning committee on October 9, councillors met to make the final call.

Planning officers were recommending members approve the scheme, describing the area as a “vacant brownfield site that does detract from its surroundings” and would benefit from the redevelopment proposed.

Cllr Katy Pauley (Ashford Independents), who represents the area, could not attend but had a statement read out for her by fellow party member Cllr Linda Harman.

“It’s important to be sure that development works for the existing community as well as for future residents,” she wrote.

“Residents already live with serious traffic concerns – it is apparent that the Willesborough Road and Crest Road junction cannot cope, especially on event days at Julie Rose Stadium.

“Conningbrook Lakes residents live with the impact of events at the stadium, struggling to get in or out of the estate even with the overflow car park in place

“Gridlock leads to road rage and accidents have occurred, meaning that these roads are increasingly unsafe.”

Other councillors expressed similar sentiments, with Cllr Alan Dean (Lab) describing the junction of Willesborough Road and Crest Road as “very, very difficult”.

“I just have concerns that the traffic movement in that area will be exacerbated and really will become a quite serious matter on what is already a busy road,” he added.

However, ABC is not responsible for roads and highways, the county council is, and it raised no concerns about the traffic implications of approving the development.

“As it stands the junction, according to the evidence before us, is acceptable and will be operating within capacity with this development moving forward,” a planning officer said.

Cllr Harman argued: “There have been many accidents on that bridge because you can’t see over it so whichever direction you’re coming from there is a risk.”

She suggested they could defer the decision, asking the county council to look again at the traffic situation.

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“I don’t have any problem per se with the application, I don’t have a problem obviously with the fact it’s in the Local Plan and we do look to deliver on our Local Plan,” she argued.

“However I do think we should be having deeper conversations on this topic as it’s clearly of concern to everyone who lives in the vicinity.”

But planning chiefs said deferring it could allow the developers to appeal against the council for not deciding in time - which could end up costing the authority money if costs were awarded.

Cllr Ray McGeever (Ashford Independents) did not back an appeal either, saying: “I would definitely not go for deferral I think it’s the wrong road and it’s a negative attitude to a very straightforward problem.”

The planning committee voted to approve the application with 10 votes in favour and one abstention.

As an outline planning application, future applications will be needed to decide the exact number, layout and design of the development.

An extra condition was added so the developers will need to provide plans for how to manage traffic when they put forward applications for the specifics of the site.