People are protesting against plans to build a large care home for Jehovah’s Witnesses behind their houses.

Homeowners living in the Bloors Lane area of Rainham have lodged objections to proposals by the Jah Jireh charity, which specialises in spiritual and physical care for followers of the religion.

People living in neighbouring homes say it is too big and its three storeys will dwarf their properties.

They are also worried about the rise in traffic and parking facilities.

Mike Blake and Ian Bates say the development, which involves 65 bedrooms, is too large for the site, which backs on to their homes in Pembury Way.

Mr Blake, 73, said: “The entrance to the proposed development is on Bloors Lane and the slope of the land which they intend to build on will make the building higher than the homes in our road.

“We do not need any more traffic in Bloors Lane and what with 65 bedrooms proposed, there will staff, visitors and others using the building, it will have a high impact on us.”

So far 13 people have lodged objections with Medway Council which received the application in December.

Mr Bates added: “People only have until today (Tuesday) to lodge their objections and if we don’t lodge the objections, we as residents have no right to appeal.

A spokesman for the charity, said: “We are simply looking to provide care for elderly folk in the community.”

Other homes managed by the organisation are in Blackpool, Leyland, Wigan and Merthyr Tydfil.