Plans have been submitted to build a new housing development on farmland off of a notorious "rat-run" road.

An application has been put forward, in principle, for 21 houses in Lower Bloors Lane, Rainham.

The homes would be built across two fields at the junction of Lower Rainham Road and behind dealership, Pickering Cars.

One is currently in use as farmland, while the other is used as a commercial orchard – although some of this site is to be retained should works be green-lighted.

If approved, the 19,000 sq m site would consist of three, two-bed bungalows.

A further six, three-bed bungalows and four, four-bed homes would also form part of the project proposed by DHA Planning, on behalf of Mr Jhalli and Mr Zammit.

Meanwhile another eight homes with five bedrooms would be added, with 47 car parking spaces in total making up the development.

Lower Rainham Road has been hit by a number of closures throughout the year to the frustration of residents.

Many were caused by CityFibre installing new internet cables for homes in the area, while more recent closures have been for emergency gas repairs, water leaks and work by telecoms company Openreach.

It led to residents describing ongoing roadworks in the area as a "nightmare" back in June.

Pub landlord Steve Brinsley, who has run The Three Mariners since September 2013, also insisted constant closures led to the watering hole losing “thousands of pounds a week” throughout the summer and into September.

The proposed application has since been met with six objections since being submitted.

One person, Tracey Houghton, said: "Lower Rainham Road is an old road which is unable to withstand the current influx of traffic with the new developments, let alone another one.

“The road suffers from congestion and is already a rat run and cut through. Another development would only add to this.”

Meanwhile resident Luke Stone added: “Lower Rainham Road already has a number of issues with congestion with people using it as a rat-run to avoid the traffic leading through Rainham High Street.

“There are already a number of traffic slowing obstacles on Lower Rainham Road which causes build-up and backlog of vehicles on the road.

"The road is also narrow at points which will lead to an increase in access issues and slow down any potential emergency service vehicles."

Yet information on the application's planning statement has highlighted there is a need for more homes across Medway.

It read: “The proposal will bring 21, high-quality dwellings to an area with an acute housing need.

“The application site is sustainably located adjacent to the edge of the boundary and close to services, facilities and public transport connections.

“The application site therefore represents a logical extension to Rainham in an edge-of-urban-area location, where the principle for a well-planned and proportionate level of residential growth has already been established.

“The importance of housing need and supply is reflected in national planning policy, which requires local authorities to provide a five-year supply of housing land.

“Where authorities are unable to do so, circumstances radically tilt decision making in favour of the grant of permission.”

You can view updates on the application by clicking here and searching for reference MC/23/2668.

A decision on the development is expected by March 20, 2024.