Work to build a controversial 60-bed care home is set to continue, despite residents’ concerns.

Plans from Frontier Estates Ltd for the facility on former farmland at Colheshill Farm in Sheppey Way, Iwade, near Sittingbourne, were submitted in 2016 and approved the following year.

Now, the developers have applied for a Lawful Development Certificate which requires them to show proof they have started work on the development within a certain time period.

Frontier Estates Ltd were told they had to start work by July 2021, after a Reserved Matters application, which has more detailed designs for the care home, was approved in July 2019.

Documents sent to Swale Council from the applicant reveal they had began work on an access road in May 2021 after trenches were dug up and temporarily covered, before being completed in November 2021.

It means the council will likely approve their planning application for a Lawful Development Certificate and work will continue at the site in the future.

Back when plans were announced, people living nearby were quick to share their objections.

Georgina Douglas of White Satin Close objected to the plans, saying: “I have concerns about the extra traffic and noise this will cause for our house, which looks onto Sheppey Way. This needs great consideration.”

While Nicola Campbell from Green Oak Crescent agreed with her.

She added: “My main concern is the entrance and exit to the care home because of the two entry/exits that are in close proximity of each other.

“I use the road on a daily basis and although there is the narrowing to slow down the traffic, I frequently see cars driving into the narrowing at high speed, it is awaiting an accident.

“The area is very close to a built-up area, as a shift worker the high volume of noise will impact as well. The infrastructure is not built to withstand the extra traffic.

“Care homes should be built with areas for the residents to spend time outside and actually in the drawings the space is not there, as usual, it is about cramming in as much accommodation for money rather than what anyone needs to sustain a daily life.”

Iwade Parish Council supported the plans, with a spokesman saying: “The Parish Council has no objections to the application.

“However, councillors do have concerns regarding parking. We understand there are 25 spaces but taking into account staff and visitors we can foresee cars being parked on the access road and Sheppey Way.

“The Parish Council feels that in light of the existing traffic calming this area should be looked at with a view to redesigning the highway to avoid future issues.”

A spokesman for Frontier Estates added: “The development will generate a significant economic benefit in terms of employment through providing local jobs and will help meet a very significant need for elderly care, as established through the approved outline schemes.”

For further details on this application enter 23/501242/LDCEX onto the planning portal.

A council spokesman commented: “The latest application is seeking confirmation via an existing Lawful Development Certificate that the planning permission granted as part of application 19/501160/REM for the construction of a care home has commenced at Coleshall Farm.

“The application is still in the early stages and is still open to comments. You can view the details on the online planning portal.”