The introduction of a slip road onto the Sandwich Bypass is the only way councillors will give their support to a major housing development.

Abbey New Homes’ plan for 120 houses, 36 of which would be affordable homes, on land east of Woodnesborough Road, went before town councillors at a meeting on Monday.

The proposal is for a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes with vehicular and pedestrian access, internal access roads, parking, landscaping, provision of 0.84 hectares of open space and a children’s play area.

Despite no objection from Kent Highways, members had said they would not consider the proposal without an alternative access route.

A meeting was held with the developers to discuss this and the plans have not been altered.

Unimpressed, councillors said they understood the need for houses but not at the price of more traffic issues which have blighted the town for decades.

Cllr John Bragg said: “I think a slip road is vital.

“It’s madness to build these houses without ensuring there is adequate access.

“I think we should make no redundancy in our resistance. Our objection is not on the buildings but on the access and the necessity to avoid future congestion in the town.

“I’m not impressed with this plan and if we do not make this point, it will happen and trouble will ensue.”

Cllr Paul Carter said: “120 houses could be an extra 300 cars.

“If they’re all coming out of that site along the Woodnesborough Road, we could have a major problem, particularly with the level crossing.

“I believe it’s over-development of the site. I would ask the developer to think again about fewer houses and more parking.

“We need homes but this is going to cause problems in Sandwich.”

He also raised concerns about the provision for school places.

He continued: “The developer is trying to palm us off with a very small children’s play area and bits of green space but it us not good enough.

“We’ve got to stand our ground or we’ll just be walked over and we’ll have all the traffic issues coming back over the next decade.”

The site chosen by Abbey New Homes is outlined in Dover District Council’s Land Allocations Local Plan which means the site is allocated for residential development as part of a strategy.

Cllr MJ Holloway said: “I do think the issues of access are paramount and we all recognise we do need affordable houses in Sandwich. I would recommend that we have a small group that sits down with planners and states what our concerns really are.”

Cllr Jeff Franklin added: “I think we should insist on a slip road.”

Cllr David Wood asked his fellow members to support the proposal but to ask for meaningful engagement with Kent County Council about the access.

Members resolved to organise a meeting with Kent County Council.

A spokesperson for Abbey said: “We have listened to local residents and will be working closely with Kent County Council Highways in developing the proposals to ensure the proposed access is both suitable and safe.

“We are supporting a proposal to improve road safety by introducing a speed limit reduction along Woodnesborough Road but have not previously discussed with the town council the suggestion of a new access linking to the bypass. We do not feel it is a sustainable idea, nor is it necessary for an allocated 120 unit development.”

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