Plans to build ten new houses have been approved just days after more than 130 homes were given the green light in the same village.

Swale council approved the proposals for the development in Newington High Street, Sittingbourne.

The application originally saw 20 homes submitted, however, developer Taylor Roberts halved the number last year.

Seven three-bedroom and three four-bedroom properties will now be built on land heading towards Keycol Hill.

It comes in the same week 135 homes were given the go ahead at Pond Farm in London Road.

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch representative, Richard Palmer, said the decision to approve the project was rushed.

Similarly, the plans in Newington’s high street have sparked fury among villagers.

Kathleen Hanlon says the village is being turned into a town soon due to the increase in housing developments.

"The road through the village simply cannot take any further traffic," she said.

"There is often congestion and more houses with cars coming out onto the A2 will simply exacerbate the problem.

"My husband and I chose to move to Newington because it was close to friends but also because it was a village and, having lived in towns all our lives, we wanted a quieter way of life and to become part of a village community.

"We feel the village is being turned into a town, so can only imagine how residents who have lived here for many years feel.

"There are beautiful walks and lovely countryside around not forgetting the wonderful wildlife - all of which will be destroyed if more building is done."

Each three-bedroom property will have two parking spaces, while each four-bedroom house will have three spaces.

There will be an additional three visitor spaces.

Valerie Jewess echoes the same views as her fellow homeowner, adding: "Newington is a small village with very little local employment - only for farming.

"This means local residents have to commute to places of work and because public transport is poor, they use their cars.

"This country's open countryside and farmland are both desperately needed in these times of uncertain overseas markets.

"Much of our farmland has been destroyed by all the new estates being built, which create excess traffic, noise, pollution and possibly flooding onto the A2."

You can view the application at tinyurl.com/planningkm, searching for the reference 20/505059/FULL.