Plans for a new housing estate on the outskirts of a village were described as a “big risk” before being rejected.

Councillors and neighbours raised fears over an increase in accidents if the proposal for 32 homes on farmland in Bull Lane, Bethersden, near Tenterden, went ahead.

The planning application had been submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) by Esquire Developments and was for a mix of one to five-bedroom homes as well as 80 parking spots across the site.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme – which had attracted 26 objections and two letters of support – be approved but admitted it was a “fine balance”, with its provision of new homes and the number of affordable properties going in its favour.

But during this week’s planning committee, councillors unanimously voted against it.

Concerns were raised about the potential harm caused by the loss of farmland, the development's proximity to listed buildings, and its position outside the village confines.

Speaking at the meeting, ward councillor Jessamy Blanford (Con) said: “This development is outside the village and is a large extension into the countryside.

“The amount of traffic coming from the site is going to cause danger and difficulties, and I don’t think reducing the number from 40 to 32 homes is sufficient to say it will not make an impact in the countryside.

“But the real point is that I think it’s premature. We’ve had a call for sites and we should look at those put forward within the borough.

“I think to jump to this one now, which has not got much going for it, is a big risk.”

Previously, Esquire Developments put forward an application for 40 homes on the same plot in August.

However, after concerns over traffic and flooding, the Longfield-based company reduced the number of planned homes by eight.

As Bull Lane lacks foot traffic access, footpaths were proposed, including a new pedestrian crossing to link the site with the A28.

Also at the meeting, Alex Walters, who lives near the proposed site, raised fears over the potential for future collisions at what was described as an accident hotspot, where the A28 meets Bull Lane.

According to Crash Map, there have been eight recorded incidents in the last five years in that area.

Mr Walters said: “As a resident of Bull Lane, I can assure you this is a fast road. I hear from my office when accidents happen at the A28 interchange and the aftermath as traffic continues to back up. This would only make it worse.”

Previously Esquire Development said the scheme is well thought out, and key consultees, including Kent County Council Highways, had not objected.

Senior planner Amy Woodward spoke at the meeting, adding: “This is a modest scheme proposing a density of 11 dwellings per hectare, allowing for extensive landscape buffers.

“By working directly with officers, we have ensured that a high-quality development design is in place, with several discussions mitigating impacts to the development on the wider landscape.

“KCC Highways raised no objections. It’s been confirmed the access arrangements are safe and suitable, and the impact on the local highway network is acceptable.”

In rejecting the scheme, councillors cited heritage concerns, resident amenity concerns, a negative landscape impact and the lack of a management plan for the biodiversity net gain.

Bethersden Parish Council also registered an objection to the plans.

Speaking after the meeting, vice Chairman Mike Peters said: “We valued the debate and that committee members wanted to really examine the plans.

“As the planning officer said, it was finely balanced, and by adding up all the harms of the scheme, it easily tipped in the other direction.

“Now, I believe the council has well thought out, substantial reasons for refusal that could be defended upon appeal.

“It was simply a site with more accidents waiting to happen, and it beggars belief that Kent countryside like this is now up for grabs. It’s valuable, and once it’s gone, you’ll never get it back.”

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Previously, bosses at NHS Kent and Medway voiced fears that several doctors’ surgeries could be overwhelmed by the proposed estate.

However, the owner of the neighbouring Grade II-listed Bull Inn, Stacy Reid, previously told KentOnline how the new homes could benefit the eatery.