CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to defeat a Hythe housing scheme they fear will create a major road safety hazard.

A proposal to build two blocks of affordable flats at Langdown Lawn was approved by just two votes at a meeting of the district council's planning committee.

The application had been opposed by local residents, who criticised the proposed access.

They claimed that vehicles emerging from the complex could be involved in accidents with cars travelling down a steep hill beside the site.

Hythe councillor Graham Parkes expressed similar fears. He said: "It's a very dangerous hill and there are accidents there regularly. The proposed visibility is insufficient to create a safe access."

Cllr Parkes also objected to the size of the proposed development and the potential loss of trees.

He said: "This site can be developed but this excessive scheme is wrong. The whole thing is being jammed in too tightly."

However, housing officer Simon Maggs referred to the large number of people waiting for affordable homes in the Hythe area.

He warned that funding for the Langdown Lawn scheme could be lost if the application was delayed and warned: "It's vital that every opportunity is taken to provide affordable housing in the district."

Chief planning officer Chris Elliott said the access would form part of an existing lane.

He added: "The visibility splay will give 90 metres of visibility, providing a safe access for the new homes and the properties already there.

"There will be significant benefits to highway safety overall.