Residents’ groups have called for construction of a controversial 300-home estate to stop until issues surrounding access have been resolved.

The Grasmere Gardens development in Chestfield attracted almost 1,000 objections during the bid to secure planning permission, amid claims “it could put lives at risk”.

Councillors at Canterbury City Council rejected the proposals in March 2019, stating developer Kitewood Estates failed to adequately show how emergency vehicles would access the site.

But the ruling was overturned at a planning inquiry later that year after the local authority withdrew its opposition.

The main issue discussed during the inquiry was whether “safe and secure” access to the site could be achieved.

Now, three residents’ groups have raised concerns about the situation as construction work continues.

Grasmere Village Residents’ Association (GVRA), Save Our Pastures And Chestfield’s Environment (PACE) and Richmond Road Residents (RRR) have called for work to be halted.

They say issues should be “fully, properly and openly resolved in light of the applicable government legislation”.

One of their key concerns is about the single main access road being built across a historic bridleway, called CW40 or The Ridgeway, to allow entry via Reeves Way.

They believe the work on the path, which runs along the north of the site near the John Wilson Business Park, should have been consulted on by the local authority.

Gerard Jakimavicius, from RRR, said: “They have to go through a process if they want to apply for permission to go across a bridleway.

“The laws are very old and you can’t just go across it.”

The three residents’ groups have cited the planning inspector’s decision notice at the appeal hearing in 2019.

It states: “No development in any phase shall take place over any public right of way until confirmation of the order permanently diverting or extinguishing it has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.”

They also believe this entrance - accessed through the industrial estate - will cause even more congestion at the Chestfield roundabout.

And the residents have questioned how motorists will access the estate if the road via Reeves Way is closed by flooding or a traffic collision.

GVRA secretary, Dr Robert Jackson, says the latest concern with the development is this main entry road across the historic bridleway.

He says a number of questions have been submitted to the city council since the development was approved, which they are still awaiting answers on.

“We’re getting to the stage where something has to be done,” he said.

“It may be that we ask the Secretary of State (for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove) to call it in or there may be other action that can be taken.”

Grasmere Gardens comprises up to 300 homes on 17 hectares of land south of Ridgeway and the John Wilson Business Park.

It will include 3,500 sq m of standalone employment space, a car park, pumping station, cycle ways, community hub, open space with a children’s play area and a “café, restaurant or bar”.

The first phase of the proposals for 140 homes has been approved and the city council is currently considering an application for phases two and three. The site is designated as brownfield land.

Another concern raised by residents during the inquiry was the increased possibility of flooding arising from the development, but the Environment Agency and Kent County Council raised no objections.

A KCC spokesman said: “Officers are aware of these concerns and have had significant dialogue around this, as well as a number of other issues.

“We understand the sense of feeling but this application has been granted by appeal and we feel there is nothing further to say in this matter.”

A city council spokesman added: “We have received a number of detailed questions from opponents of this development.

“Answers are being worked on at the moment and we will reply in due course.”

Kitewood did not respond to a KentOnline request for comment.