“Alarmed” residents have hit out at the “annihilation” of an orchard to make way for a housing development.

Homeowners in Ash, between Canterbury and Sandwich, have branded plans for 53 homes on land off New Street a “recipe for disaster”, amid fears it could turn the surrounding area into a rat-run.

A planning application has been submitted for the development, which would also see a number of buildings owned by J.R Cowen Ltd – which went into insolvency in April 2021 – demolished.

The scheme, submitted by Canterbury-based Taylor Roberts Ltd, is described as “a high quality development which will enhance and contribute to the character of the local area.”

However, the application has accumulated a number of objections, with some villagers voicing concerns over the damage to wildlife in the orchard – including the vulnerable turtle dove – due to the clearing of the land.

Resident Pearl Thorne said: “I strongly object to the annihilation of this old traditional orchard, an ecologically rich habitat known as a breeding site for the rare turtle dove, other red listed species, birds and mammals.

“I find it astounding that the ecologists report admits to the clearance of this old traditional orchard before their report was done.

“This site was a magnet for wildlife and provided a welcome home/refuge for invertebrates and all the species that relied upon deadwood.

“Residents enjoyed seeing and hearing the wildlife, particularly the sound of the purring turtle dove and are devastated this biologically important area was so cruelly exterminated and witnessed by horrified residents.”

Other residents voiced concerns over the effect that the development would have on the roads in the area, with Derek Reeves describing the plans as “very poorly thought through”.

“Having an access at 52 New Street is a recipe for disaster,” he said.

“New Street was never designed to have a flow of traffic. How do the developers think a fair volume of traffic is going to travel if turning left towards Marshborough through narrow winding lanes?”

Paul Naden added: “I do not feel that New Street/Cherry Garden Lane as a highway will be able to cope with an increase of an excess of 100 vehicles a day using these two highways which are both narrow and already congested.”

The application is awaiting a decision from Dover District Council.