Residents and councillors have spoken out about a homes plan for a former tennis club site.

Developers have asked Medway Council for permission to build on the former Avenue Tennis land between Second Avenue and Glebe Road, Gillingham, on four occasions.

The plans have been turned down each time by councillors, while Government planning inspectors have also dismissed two appeals.

Following the most recently refused applications for seven and then six homes – which included access from Second Avenue – the developers decided to appeal again.

Planning inspector Dan Szymanski heard evidence about both appeals during a hearing at the council's headquarters Gun Wharf in Chatham on Wednesday.

Glen Jarvis, of applicants Jarvis Residential (Medway) Ltd, was not present at the hearing but John Collins, director of DHA Planning, spoke.

He argued building on the site would not amount to a "cramped" development, which had previously been concluded by the planning committee.

He explained while the developers accepted there would be "a very slight" impact on neighbouring properties, residents are only able to get narrow glimpses of the site from their homes.

He added: "This, in my opinion, is not crammed, it is relatively low density, bearing in mind the size of the site.

"Because this is a sustainable urban site, it needs to be used to its capacity. Our position is that this isn't an over development."

Residents voiced their concerns about how it could impact them and offered to let Mr Szymanski into their gardens to see the views of the tennis courts.

They also claimed protected species including slow worms, bats, and stag beetles could live on the site, which is not open to the public.

Gary Clifford said: "I live in Glebe Road, I shall see this development. It will be an eyesore on the horizon, it will block the views that were once green.

"All the parking and busyness the development will bring to the area will change the character."

Second Avenue resident Jacquline Mackowski added: "It will make a big impact to the road. There are too many and they are too big.

"I know people need houses, but it's just too cramped in there and there will be too much overlooking into people's houses."

But Mr Collins argued the council's current lack of housing land supply meant developments which are deemed sustainable should be permitted.

Ward representative Wendy Purdy (Con) said: "You're almost saying, Medway Council, you need houses so you better accept this.

"I will never accept this as I've said before. I will never accept bad development in Medway, especially in my ward."

Mr Szymanski will now study the evidence and give a ruling within six months.