Villagers are fighting plans to build a luxury estate within the sprawling grounds of a house on a much-sought-after street.

Canterbury City Council has been sent a string of objections since Woodchurch Property Developments unveiled proposals to erect seven new homes in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury, six weeks ago.

Neighbours are calling for the scheme earmarked for Rosary House in Aerodrome Road to be snubbed, amid fears it could clog up the narrow route and cause a serious accident.

Resident Yvon Ambroisine fears the proliferation of motorists going to and from the site could lead to a child playing in the middle of the private street being run over.

“The development would undoubtedly spoil our quiet neighbourhood beyond acceptable levels,” she argued.

“Aerodrome Road is a private route without a footpath.

“My grandchildren often play in the road, as do many other children in the street, and any further increase in traffic would put our children at great risk.

“This proposed development must therefore be refused by the local authority.”

Local Kenneth Warburton believes the erection of the properties could damage the area’s “esprit de corps”, if it prevents children from “safely” playing in the street and neighbours having roadside chats.

He also claims the thought of Aerodrome Road, which is an unadopted route, being “turned into a construction site” fills him with “sadness and dread”.

Meanwhile, support worker Caren Debruin contends her street is already filled to capacity.

“When other residents have had work done, the road has been blocked by construction vehicles,” she explained.

“This is normally only for a short while, but as this is quite a large project, I am worried that the route will be blocked for long periods of time.

“Parts of Aerodrome Road are only passable one car at a time due to people parking on the road as they don't have adequate parking spaces on their properties.

“I feel that building more dwellings would only make this problem worse as emergency vehicles would not be able to access properties that require their services.”

Drawings show two semi-detached homes will be built in what is currently Rosary House’s front garden.

The remaining properties, ranging in size from three to five bedrooms, will be built to the rear of the plot.

A route linking the estate to Aerodrome Road will then be laid alongside Rosary House, which is set to be “modernised” as part of the scheme.

Planning papers lodged with the city council by Woodchurch insist the development will be attractive and of a high level.

“The neighbourhood is a much-sought-after location to live in,” the documents say.

“The proposals for the site aim to promote a high-quality scheme to help complement the area.

“We have focused on sensitivity to the surroundings, with the overall aim of enhancing the locality.”