Controversial plans for 14 new homes next to the railway line in Wye have been criticised by neighbours.

Bosses at Pathway Project 1 Limited want to build on a former goods yard alongside the Havillands estate that has been built up over the past 10 years.

But the development – which features a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes next to the train station car park off Bramble Lane – has been slammed by residents in the village.

Rebecca Hamilton said: “There is insufficient parking in the station car park for people who use it on a daily basis, which means many are parking in Bramble Lane and on occasion within the Havillands development.

“The parking in the station car park is likely to be further reduced during the development and once the development is complete in order to allow for access.

“Building additional properties on the Bramble Lane side of the crossing, and especially so close to it, will increase traffic and queuing in this area of the village.”

Bramble Lane resident Kate Osborne agreed, saying the area already gets “gridlocked” with traffic.

She said: “Adding traffic to and from a housing estate on this stretch would make the traffic problem worse.

“It would also increase the risk to the many children – including mine – who walk to school along Bramble Lane. At the moment, cars use the entrance to the car park as a turning circle so they can join the queue of traffic approaching the crossing.

"This would make the traffic problem worse..." - Kate Osborne

“From the plans, it looks like the station car park would also be used to access the development and this would increase the danger to pedestrians.”

In a planning application lodged with Ashford Borough Council, the developers say the proposal features a “high level of design”.

They said: “The scheme makes the most of the opportunities presented by the site, is entirely right for the site and context, is of demonstrably high-quality design, and is suitable for approval.”

KentOnline's sister title, the Kentish Express, contacted the developers for further comment, but did not receive a response.

To view the plans, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 17/01646/AS application.