Concerned residents say a 20-home development will be a traffic "nightmare" while others say "you cannot be a NIMBY".

Plans to develop the properties on land off Swift Crescent, Lordswood, have been sent to Medway Council.

Roadhouse Building and Civil Engineering Ltd originally wanted to build 39 homes, but planning officers had concerns about possible over-development and impact on existing trees.

The developers have now submitted proposals for a smaller scheme of 20 dwellings on the site that currently includes one detached property which will be demolished.

It wants to build the three and four-bedroom homes with access from Swift Crescent and Vixen Close, and 46 parking spaces and a play area.

But neighbours have raised their concerns over the increased pressure on parking and traffic, the design and height of the properties, and more demand on local services.

Mike Bell lives next door to the site and his main worry is over who will be responsible for the management of the trees which line the property.

Other than that the 82-year-old was unconcerned. He added: "They have got to build there. When the original plans were considered, it was for six houses but now it is four.

"I am just greatly relieved to have only four houses. People have got to live somewhere. You cannot be a NIMBY.

"I am not welcoming it but it is better than what they first submitted. It is progress."

He and wife Judy did have slight concerns over traffic but said it will be worse for the residents on the other side of the development.

The access from Vixen Close will lead out onto Setford Road which only has one access point in and out – one of the main concerns for residents.

Jennifer Hurley, 76, said: "It is going to be a nightmare. I am totally and utterly against it. In the end people need houses but they are coming in to build in an already heavily residential area.

"I am glad they have reduced the number of houses. But traffic will still be coming in and out, it will take away the road space we have got.

"I am against it but I know people need places to live. They have to live somewhere but the exit and entrances for these plans have not been given a lot of consideration."

Neighbour Helen Castle-Kidd, 42, added: "Our worry is the amount of traffic. There is already cars driving around here all the time because it has so many closes.

"It is worrying with children who play out in the streets if there are more cars around. That is the main worry for me and my neighbours have similar issues.

"Why does it have to be houses? They could put in something for teenagers as there is nothing around here for them.

"I do not want to be against things but there is a lot of people here already. We are talking about an extra 50-odd people and their share of vehicles they will bring."

Husband-and-wife Bob and Maureen Oakes live in one of two houses in Vixen Close where the road will be extended and each have their objections.

Bob said: "Everything will have to come through this way. Most of the residents will come in this way. There is only one way into this road anyway.

"The roads around here are particularly narrow and adding more cars who park on the side means nothing will get by."

Despite his concerns, the dad did try to find a positive in the scheme, saying: "The building is a factor of life. If they are going to build on it, it is going to be houses and that is not really an issue.

"Living next to an open field gives access to burglars, if you have houses there you have more eyes around. It is more about the access to the area."

But wife Maureen was less than welcoming of the plans. She said: "A lot of modern families have three or four cars and the plans only account for two.

"They will have no choice but to leave them up here. We cannot see this being anything but awkward and busy. I am very opposed to the plans. It will massively affect us.

"It is also about doctors, hospitals and schools. There is not enough facilities in the area for more people. It is interesting they say the facilities are around here but it is quite a walk to a bus stop.

"They need to start building hospitals and doctor surgeries, nothing else. We want more hospitals not more houses."

Developers have assured that the site is in a "sustainable location with the nearest supermarket, a medical centre and a primary school are all located less than 0.5km from the site."

The report also adds: "There is also a bus stop 0.25km from the site which has bus service which runs every 10mins into Chatham and a dedicated school service in the morning and evening to Thomas Aveling School a Secondary School and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and Rochester Grammar School."

Although many residents are against the idea, Dave Relf of Lordswood Lane had different thoughts.

The 76-year-old said: "I do not mind it being built. It does not affect me really. On this road it will only be four houses and the same driveway as the rest are around the back.

"I do not mind it, you cannot stop this people building something. It is a massive site around there they can do something with. I am too old to worry about it."

At the time of writing, 17 residents have written letters objection to set out their concerns about the plans and there was only one of support.

A decision on the plans is due to be made by Tuesday, December 27.