Plans for 13 new houses in a village have been voted through despite nearly 100 objections from neighbours.

A total 98 letters against the scheme were written, mostly raising concerns about traffic problems.

But another 32 letters supporting the application for Shepherdswell, arguing that 10 of the homes would be affordable rent ones, which were badly needed in the area.

Cllr David Beaney told last night's planning committee: "The scheme has been well put together and it has so much affordable housing.

"I know there are 98 objections and this is a difficult one but I would like to support the application."

Nine of the Dover district councillors voted for the application, none of them voted against and one abstained.

Planning officers had recommended approval.

The application is for a site next to the village hall and post office at Coxhill.

Locals against the application argued that the site is the village's busiest street and is narrow, difficult to negotiate and already congested.

They said that extra traffic from the development would worsen the situation.

They argued that the scheme did not provide enough parking spaces and cars would end up spilling onto Coxhill Road.

These neighbours also said that there was a lack of footpaths along Coxhill Road and this was dangerous for pedestrians as the road is used as a rat run between the A2 and A257.

Kent County Council Highways was initially against the application, agreeing that Coxhill was too narrow for a new housing estate.

However this objection was lifted after the applicants, English Rural, agreed to widen the road and provide a new footpath from the site to make pedestrians safer.

The 32 locals wanting the development said the affordable housing would allow local people to stay in the village.

They said it would in particular let older people downsize and keep on younger low-income families.

They added that it would help secure the future of the village primary school.

Agents OSG Architecture had said in a statement: “Working alongside Shepherdswell and Coldred Community Land Trust and English Rural Housing Association we believe the scheme to be one, which fulfils a need within the community for affordable housing for all sectors of the community from single persons to families and those seeking to downsize.”