Plans for a new housing estate linking Ashford's William Harvey Hospital with the A20 have been given the green light.

Bosses at Bellway Homes submitted plans for 207 properties in Willesborough Lees last year, but cut the number to 192 in August.

They have now had their scheme – which will include a new link road between Hinxhill Road and the A20 – approved by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee.

It means bosses at the East Kent Hospitals Trust, which runs the Harvey, could now open a second entrance to the hospital through the new estate linking to the A20.

Cllr Michael Burgess, chairman of the committee, said the site – dubbed Willesborough Green – had been earmarked for development in Ashford Borough Council’s local plan.

“As it was in the Local Plan, no one was really surprised it was approved,” said Cllr Burgess, who represents the Isle of Oxney ward.

“I support the idea of a second entrance to the hospital but it is up to the hospital to decide when they will open that.

“I am rather surprised highways originally allowed the hospital to be built with just one entrance, as Kennington Road can get log-jammed and I think having a second entrance is a good idea.”

The 24-acre site will feature 22 two-bed houses, 83 three-bed and 70 four-bed, as well as a number of flats.

Bosses at Bellway Homes said the aim was to create an “integrated and sustainable neighbourhood” that will contain a green corridor for cyclists and pedestrians and will also include a football field.

Neighbours in The Street feared the consequences of the development in their historic lane, which includes the Blacksmiths Arms pub and the 17th century Warren Cottage Guest House.

But the development was approved last month, meaning the main entrance to the estate on the A20 just past Tesco’s Crooksfoot store can now be built, as well as the second entrance in Hinxhill Road, which would link with the Harvey.

The entrance close to Tesco will be controlled by new traffic lights, which North Willesborough councillor George Koowaree fears could increase congestion on the A20.

He said: “The design of the estate is very pleasant but my only concern is about the access.

“Kent County Council is responsible for the highways and I will have to go to them to see what they are doing with it.”