Plans for new homes on a horse grazing field have been hit with objections amid fears it will add to problems the “small village” already faces.

Pentland Homes is behind the application for up to 24 dwellings to be built on a patch of land in Monkton Court Lane in Eythorne, near Dover.

Developers say the proposal has a specific emphasis on delivering “outward-facing development parcels, high-quality greenspace, and attractive landscaping”.

But nay-sayers have hit back at the plans and say the lane, which would be the main access road for the site, would not be able to cope with the extra traffic despite the application outlining access is “at a safe and visible location”.

In a comment on the Dover District Council (DDC) planning portal, Sheena Toole said: “Monkton Court Lane is a narrow country road where even two cars have difficulty passing plus The Street has speeding traffic.

“The building of 24 houses which will probably take two cars per family will only add to the problems we already have in our small village.

“Our village has one small shop/Post Office, pub, garage, hairdresser and a primary school, we have no doctor’s surgery, dentist or any other facilities to accommodate more families.

“Having lived in the village since 1976 I have found Monkton Court Lane to be a very quiet, peaceful and attractive part of this village and this would simply be ruined. The land should continue to be used for grazing as it has been for many years.”

Wendy Dyer added the development could see up to 48 or more cars which would affect those who already live in the village.

It comes after plans in 2015 for 20 dwellings with associated car parking, access, garaging and landscaping were refused.

In September 2022, a document proposed the removal of the site from the Local Plan for the sole reason that “the site is covered by a surface water flow path which constrains development here so has been removed”.

This recommendation was then confirmed at an Extraordinary Council meeting the following month.

Meanwhile, concerns were also raised over flooding over the latest proposals.

“Historically, flooding has (and remains) an issue along Monkton Court Lane or adjacent to it in this field,” Michael Stockbridge commented on the plans.

“Surely without extensive works to reduce this risk, the frequency and severity of flooding will only increase.”

He added the location for the development has been used as grazing for alpacas and lately horses for more than 40 years.

He said not only would the development take away clear countryside views for existing homes on the road, but it would also “allow buildings not in keeping with the character and appearance of what is already here”.

Developers say the application intends to be sustainable, well-connected and not have an adverse impact on neighbours while ensuring high architectural standards are met.

They addedthey have collaborated with specialist consultants to create a “successful, sustainable, and accessible, proposal”.

“The ethos of the proposal is to deliver a landscape-led design solution that prioritises natural spaces, social interaction, and connections to Eythorne,” the application says.

“Outward facing parcels ensure security and passive natural surveillance making the public realm and open spaces safe, usable, and sustainable for all users.”

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Car parking would be located to the side of homes in a bid to limit the impact on the street scene.

The application also says the development of well-designed public open spaces, such as a communal meeting point, within it would provide additional green spaces “that will contribute to the character of the existing settlement”.

A decision date is not yet confirmed.