Fears old “Victorian roads” will be overwhelmed with cars if more homes are built have been raised by concerned neighbours.

Plans submitted nearly two years ago for one house and two flats on land in Burrow Road, Folkestone, will finally be discussed by members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) tonight.

The proposal is to demolish derelict garages on the L-shaped plot, which is 5,381 sq ft in size, and replace them with one two-bedroom house and two one-bedroom apartments.

But neighbours say squeezing more accommodation on their Victorian road will add to serious issues already plaguing the busy street.

Fears have also been raised over the height and scale of the development, which they claim could see some residents being overlooked.

Mary Lawes, who has lived nearby for 21 years, called the proposals “inappropriate”.

Speaking to KentOnline, she said: “The plans include one parking space for each flat, but what about their visitors or delivery drivers?

“These Victorian Roads were never built to accommodate so many cars and will only impact an already over-subscribed resident parking permit zone.

“It’s emergency access as well. You couldn’t get a fire engine down here; even the bin lorries have to reverse down this road.

“How will that impact any form of construction?”

Ms Lawes said “overshadowing and loss of light is unacceptable”, adding: “The balconies at each of the flats and windows to the rear of the two-storey house will remove all privacy and overlook the gardens on Burrow Road.

“The house's layout is really bizarre; it’s got hardly any room to work. You wouldn’t want to live in a house like that, but they’re pushing it in to make it fit the space.”

The design and access statement submitted by Ian Bull Consultancy on behalf of the applicants states that the plans are the right option for the brownfield site.

The document reads: “The scheme represents the best of the client’s aspirations for the regeneration of a derelict brownfield site whilst providing a modest contribution towards the overall housing shortage.

“The scheme delivers three new dwellings and will drastically improve the site's appearance.

“The new dwellings will increase visibility on the site where previous vandalism had occurred, increasing the overall safety of the area.

“The proposals are sympathetic to their context whilst taking best advantage of the existing site’s potential.

“The windows have been angled on the first floor, and the balcony has additional privacy screening to prevent any overlooking of any existing gardens.

“Overall, it is felt that this application, being design-led throughout and considering all existing constraints (physical, social and environmental), proposes to deliver an appropriate and sustainable new development to Folkestone.”

More than 30 objections have been submitted to the council over the plans, which were first submitted in November 2022.

But due to the application remaining undetermined by FHDC for so long, the applicants, Mr and Mrs Brown, have already started an appeal process with the planning inspectorate to receive an outcome.

But now the bid is to be discussed tonight by FHDC members.

Tracey Callender, who had lived on Burrow Road for five years, said: “In the beginning, not everyone was informed that it was going to a planning meeting.

“We only found out earlier this month. It was only because our gardens back on to the site that we received the planning notices.

“We’ve tried to go around to inform people nearby, but because of the speed of it, we haven’t been able to get a hold of everybody.

“It just feels like they’re trying to push it through now.”

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A spokesperson for FHDC said: “As part of the planning process if an application has not been determined within the statutory timeframe for that application, the applicant may appeal against non-determination, which passes the decision-making process to the planning inspectorate.

“However, before the council can submit a statement of case to the planning inspectorate, the application must have a recommendation from the council.

“The application will be reported to the planning and licensing committee for members to vote upon, and this will form the basis of the council’s position at appeal.”

Officers at FHDC have recommended the scheme for approval and it will be voted on tonight at their meeting at 7pm.

It is not known whether the applicants will continue to pursue their appeal after the committee's decision.