A new housing development could lead to traffic dangers to children.

Planning councillors heard that the road is usually too narrow for two facing cars to pass.

They unanimously voted to reject the application, which was for 31 houses and flats off a country lane, Abbey Road, in Dover.

Cllr Pauline Beresford told a district planning committee meeting last Thursday Mar 21 : "If you have 31 homes you will have children who are catching a bus to school.

"Walkers are not safe as there are no street lights.

"Sometimes, as a driver you have to drive all the way back down because you can't get past.

"Vehicles also have to come to a screeching stop as there are not white lines to show you are coming to the end of the road."

She added that the footpath should be raised above the road level to make the area safer.

Cllr Pam Hawkins said: "I have been there and because of the width of the lane I have had to reverse back.

"A man walking along had to climb up a bank to avoid being hit by a car, so it is not safe for children."

Cllr Marjorie Ovenden said: "The lane is frighteningly narrow and I speak as someone who is used to driving on narrow lanes.

"The large number of homes show that there will be a large number of people there."

The proposal is for dwellings ranging from one bedroomed flats to four bedroomed houses providing bedrooms for a total 79 people.

The site is managed land relating to Ferrybridge House at Abbey Road, where applicant Mike Ainger is based.

His representative, Valerie Owen of Le Vaillant Owen Consultancy Ltd in Deal, told the committee: "We have expert reports for every aspect.

"This is appropriate in scale, massing and appearance.

"This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but neither Natural England or the Environment Agency object."

But an objection came in from River Parish Council, saying that the scheme would create additional traffic on roads already struggling with existing volumes.

A total 16 neighbouring residents were also against the application, saying the road was not wide enough for either traffic or pedestrians.

Before Thursday's meeting, DDC officers who had prepared the report, had also recommended refusal on highway grounds.

The site is on the southern side of Abbey Road. a short distance north-west of St Radigund's.