Thousands of heavy vehicles driving through Ash while a former RAF underground bunker is extended must not be allowed.

That is the view of Ash Parish Council, which claims that proposals for major construction work at the old RAF site on Marshborough Road, Woodnesborough, could cause traffic chaos.

If full planning permission is granted, the site’s owners, a company called The Bunker, plans to create 12,000 sqm of storage space and 2,000 sqm of office accommodation above the ground but in keeping with the present landscape.

But the route proposed by Kent County Council Highways has prompted Ash Parish Council chairman Cllr Graham Float to speak out, describing it as “utter lunacy”.

He added: “Highways has told developers that vehicles must reach the site from the A257 Ash bypass, via Sandwich Road and then negotiate a hairpin bend into New Street.

“The planning application admits that about 18,000 lorry movements will be required during the 12 months of construction.

“That is an average of eight per hour and who says the lorries will be spread out evenly through the day?

“Lorries, including large articulated vehicles, trying to get round the corner into New Street and then negotiating a narrow road with blind bends, which is also a bus route, is bound to lead to traffic chaos, major disturbance through noise and vibrations as well as possible damage to properties.”

Pete Stockall, from planning agents GVA Grimley, said the response relates to the construction traffic not the development itself and once it is finished there will be few movements of traffic.

“We accept it’s not the most direct route but it’s the one approved by KCC.

“This is the next best option and once the construction begins there will be traffic regulation orders in place on the road through Ash to ensure that the lorries are kept to a minimum, are spread out through the day and are not in operation before or after certain hours.”

Cllr Float is urging people to make their feelings known to the district council.