Construction on Platt Industrial Estate has been given the go-ahead - despite strong objection from nearby residents.

A planning application submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council outlines a proposal to erect a new industrial building and associated works.

Development will also include amendments to the t-junction of the access road and A25 Maidstone.

The new facility will be for Prime Securities Ltd but will be occupied by Kentinental Engineering Ltd, who are currently located adjacent.

The land itself is bordered to the south by the A25 Maidstone Road.

The building, and an additional 53 parking spaces, will all service Kentinental Engineering.

The structure will be made up of a warehouse and mezzanine which will house offices and toilets. Space has also been planned to facilitate the turning and loading/unloading of articulated lorries.

The building's normal hours of operation will be between 7am and 4pm. Up to 65 new members of staff will be employed.

A number of neighbours lodged objections to the application. Mr Adrian Rothera said: "We have been on the Platt Industrial Estate for over 7 years and in that time there has already been a significant increase in the volume of traffic to and from the estate.

"The result of this has lead to parking issues with cars being parked on roads and pavements causing issues for delivering lorries trying to get to our unit. However, the main concern is that all the traffic relies on the existing bridge as the only way to get in and out of the estate.

"This will lead to further congestion and I question whether the bridge is capable of taking the extra traffic physically."

Another neighbour, Wiebke Reiss, said the noise and pollution caused by HGVs and cars on the estate is already an issue and fears this development would exacerbate the situation.

"This will lead to further congestion and I question whether the bridge is capable of taking the extra traffic physically" - Adrian Rothera

She also cited traffic and a lack of parking as issues and said she "truly hopes" the application is rejected.

The parish council does not object in principle to the application, as it could create more employment in the area. However, it stated it has concerns about the increase in traffic and dangerous access to the site.

The application was approved by council planners on July 8, subject to a number of conditions.

Kent County Council responded to the application claiming the area has revealed evidence of Roman activity. Therefore, the plans have been approved on the basis that features of archaeological interest are properly examined and recorded.

Documents also stated if contamination not previously identified is found to be present on site, then development must be ceased until a remediation strategy has been implemented.