Plans to build flats on an accident-prone "rat-run" street near a children's playground have been branded "extremely dangerous".

The new proposals for the Old Tennis Courts site in Old Manor Way, Barnehurst have been submitted to Bexley council.

Planning permission is being sought for two three-storey buildings consisting of 12 flats on the route linking the town with Dartford.

An accompanying statement said: "The proposed creation of 12 new flats would meet a demand for small and affordable accommodation in the area.

"The character of the area and neighbouring amenity would be unaffected and landscaping can improve the setting within the street."

The plans also include 16 car parking spaces with a ramped vehicular access provided to the north of the site.

However, the proposed entrance has provoked anger among neighbours who say its proximity to a narrow railway bridge opposite a children's playground is an "accident waiting to happen".

Parkside Avenue resident Clare Lodge, whose garden backs onto the site, said access is already "extremely dangerous".

"The tight bend from Merewood under the bridge is notorious for incidents," the 45-year-old said. "The road on the bend is so narrow cars literally clip each other's wind mirrors.

"I have got a KA car and even when I go underneath I drive very slowly."

She explained the road it's on is often used as a "rat-run" for motorists bypassing the A2 and headed towards Dartford.

There is a history of crashes outside the site including an incident earlier this month on October 16 between a van and a car.

Clare had just returned from a trip away at the time when she witnessed the aftermath, adding: "I came back from holiday and I said to my husband 'what is going on there?'

"That's when I came inside and checked the post and I saw the notice of the planning application."

Neighbour Lisa Smidmore says the entrance to the development is "already ridiculously busy" and she has borne witness to a spate of near-misses.

"There are so many accidents on this road already where people speed under the bridge and the road is very narrow, "she said.

"It is a scary road to walk along with fear of cars mounting the pavement or hitting each other."

There are also fears for the safety of children with a play park opposite the development.

Lisa added: "It is already dangerous to cross the road to go to the park.

"We also walk under the bridge daily to visit family and friends or to the local shops as do many residents and hold our breath to do so hoping nothing speeds under the bridge as we walk by. "

Other concerns from residents centre around added traffic, privacy and the development's design.

There are also fears for the impact on local wildlife with ponds home to newts and nesting tawny owls nearby.

Plans were previously submitted for town houses and flat blocks on the same site but were withdrawn in the face of strong opposition.

At the time of writing, 16 objections have been lodged against the new proposals.

The land the plans are for was recently sold by the council for £656,000 as part its offloading of more than £25 million of publicly-owned assets.

Like many others, Bexley council is under pressure to build more housing, particularly two-bed homes, and has a 10-year target of 6,850.

A design and access statement reads: "The council’s housing policies seek to maximise the re-use of previously developed land and buildings.

"The proposed development would create additional housing on a windfall site that would make a contribution to the borough achieving its housing targets as set out in the London Plan (2021) and Local Plan.

"The site is therefore one in which intensification and increased housing delivery in line with policy, should be encouraged."

The council says it will seek the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing with a minimum of 35% of homes designated as such.

Of these, 70% will be social rented housing and 30% will be intermediate housing, unless otherwise agreed.