A controversial scheme for a children’s home will be decided this week amid fears for road safety.

Officers recommend members at Dover District Council’s (DDC) planning committee give the green light for the proposed home in St Richard’s Road, Deal.

This is despite 18 people sending letters to the authority objecting to the project, many warning of traffic dangers in the area.

Back on Track Children’s Services Ltd, based in Deal, wants to create the residential home for up to five youngsters in care aged eight to 18.

There would also be sleeping accommodation for two staff members.

A supporting letter from Kent County Council said the home would be for children with challenges such as emotional and behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities and/or autism.

It said it relied on groups such as Back on Track to provide such services.

Residents against it say there is a lack of on-site parking spaces and an inability for vehicles to turn on site. They say the development would lead to parking on the road, causing safety problems.

They also fear noise and disturbance from the use of the parking areas and the levels of comings and goings.

Resident Andrew Thompson said in a letter on DDC’s planning portal: “St Richard’s Road is an extremely busy roads with numerous cars already parked.

“There has already been a number of accidents on this stretch of road.

“The safety of the children in the home is also in jeopardy.

"The property and location is completely inappropriate for a children’s home of this size with all of the associated support vehicles and staff needed..."

“They will have to negotiate an overcrowded drive to leave the property straight into the path of the main road, which is a regular route for speeding cars, ambulances and a main road.”

Resident Pauline Nelson added: “The noise disturbance would inflict an unacceptable impact to the rear of the neighbouring properties.”

Helen Wathen said: “Whilst the children need to be housed and cared for, the property and location is completely inappropriate for a children’s home of this size with all of the associated support vehicles and staff needed for a well-run home.”

Deal Town Council is also against the application because of traffic safety fears.

Resident Christopher Best was in favour, saying on the planning portal: “I think it’s a great idea. We need more places like this.”

Sophie Seymour, director of Back on Track said it was supporting a KCC strategy to keep Kent children in the county.

She added: “We always take the road risk into consideration but with support from the staff, our children can navigate this safely.”

DDC planning officers agreed such a service was needed and recommend councillors approve the application, saying concerns raised relating to the "existing residential amenity and highway safety... are not considered to be adverse to the extent of warranting a refusal”.

The application will be discussed by the planning committee from 6pm tomorrow (Thursday) at the council's HQ in Whitfield.