Concerned residents fear 13 new homes planned for their village could put “immense pressure” on their already struggling water system which left taps running dry last summer.

Clarendon Homes wants to build the three and four-bed properties on a 3.7-acre plot along the A251 Buck Street in Challock, near Ashford.

But neighbours who relied on bottled water banks during a week-long supply issue last summer fear the village will simply not cope with more homes until improvements to the infrastructure are made.

Last year’s shortage was not the first time neighbours had been cut off and one objector fears more will happen if improvements are not made.

Writing on Ashford Borough Council’s planning portal, they said: “Until the infrastructure has been set up in the village to cope with these houses, I would object to this plan.

“Last year we had to endure a week without water, a week that was the hottest of the year and more dwellings would put further pressure on the system, creating these problems more frequently.

“Since moving to the village almost three years ago, we’ve suffered at least three incidents of having no water from what is obviously an outdated and struggling system and this was without the addition of more homes.”

Another concerned villager echoed these concerns, saying: “There is no mention of improving the infrastructure.

“Before we start adding more dwellings to the area, should there not be work to improve the infrastructure so that new and existing dwellings are not failed yet again.

“Besides this we have one bus that goes to Ashford and Faversham, is there a plan to improve transport links?”

Fears over the impact more homes could have on the road network have also been put forward, with one person saying more cars could be “a potential risk to life”.

They added: “The current 40mph speed restriction is not enforced and already poses a threat to both walkers and vehicles.

“Thirteen additional dwellings will mean many more people walking to the limited village amenities along a very small unmaintained footpath with large articulated vehicles passing very close at high speed.

“This is a potential risk to life.”

The plans submitted to ABC come after a previous application for 24 homes of the site was refused in July.

Concerns were raised over the design of the homes and the number of dwellings proposed.

As a result, 11 homes have been removed and changes have been made to the layout which Clarendon says have been “carefully considered” with the Kent Downs Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty in mind.

If approved, five out of the 13 homes, which will all have “generous gardens” and electric vehicle charging points, will be classed as affordable.

The estate would be accessed through a new t-junction planned off Buck Street and would come with 43 car parking spaces.

Despite the concerns, Clarendon Homes feels the proposed development is sustainable and appropriate to its location, and the services and amenities of Challock.

It adds that the new access road would meet the standards KCC Highways requires for the existing 40mph speed limit, and that pedestrian links are provided along the main road and to the front of dwellings.

A path is also provided to allow for access to the wooded area.

In a further statement issued to KentOnline, the company said: “The proposed scheme has been designed to allow for safe movement of vehicles within the development and safe access on to the A251.

“The scheme – which includes 40% affordable housing - will be delivered in accordance with all regulations around utilities such as water supply.”