FURIOUS residents have declared children's lives will be at risk if planners agree to use an 'existing' lane as access for a proposed development.

Objectors say using Kennel Lane, off Woodland Park, as access to three new homes in a converted barn will be 'an accident waiting to happen'.

They added that labelling Kennel Lane as an 'existing access' is also misleading, saying there has been a traffic order preventing vehicles from using it since 1986.

However, Devon County Council's highway authority said it has considered the protests but 'is minded not to object' to the use of Kennel Lane.

Residents voiced their concerns at Ivybridge Town Council's planning committee as councillors discussed the plans.

Chris Hatch, speaking on behalf of neighbours and friends, said: 'One objection is privacy on the northern aspect of the development. Although they don't intent to open more windows and openings to the original barn construction, what they do intend to do is to open what is there to provide windows for the development – which does have direct visual impact into the row of terraces where my neighbours and I live.

'We can look directly into bedroom accommodation and they can look straight into ours.

'A stipulation of some sort of privacy or smoke glass would be an adequate compromise. We don't want to detract from the light that they get, but we want to keep our privacy.'

Mr Hatch added: 'Secondly, and most important, is the proposed access into this development, which is deem-ed to go off an, as they call it, existing access, onto Wood-lands Park, and the reopening of a second access onto that same lane.

'The concern is that the development is going to be a real conflict with the users of the existing Kennel Lane, mainly because of its use by school children, disabled children and people who use the lane without the fear of traffic.

'Since 1986, I believe, there has been an order preventing traffic from using the lane apart from anything to do with the fields and agriculture, nothing to do with public rights of way, and to that end there is a bollard at the top end of the lane to prevent traffic from using it.

'Originally, there used to be a bollard at the bottom but it has since been removed because the only vehicle that actually uses the lane is a South Hams Council maintenance vehicle.

'No other vehicles use that lane whatsoever. I really fear the access being opened when the road is certainly unsuitable for that.

'The lane is very narrow, there's flooding issues, there's open drainage which is hazardous for cars to negotiate.

'The primary concern is the access. I think once access is opened they're going to potentially have difficulties with children because it is regularly used by the kids in the park.'

Ivybridge Town Council's planning committee shared the same concerns of the residents who attended last Monday's meeting. Cllr Sara Hladkij said: 'It isn't just the school children using the lane. There is also the Montessori nursery, Dame Hannah students and Woodlands nursery children, because everybody knows that it's a safe area.

'To advertise it as an existing access is misleading.'

Planning committee chairman Tom Bowden concluded: 'First of all there is an issue with lack of privacy which is a material consideration as well as access, traffic and highway safety.

'When I went out there I noticed a lot of mothers with young children walking along Woodland Road and going to the park – so it a very important recreational area.

'My feelings are that Kennel Lane is not suitable for any access, bearing in mind that they've allowed six car parking spaces in total.

'I'm objecting on the basis of lack of privacy, and access on Kennel Lane.'

Councillors unanimously voted to recommended refusal of the planning application.

The proposals sent to South Hams planners is to convert a 'redundant barn' in Woodland Farm to three homes, consisting of one three-bed and two two-bed properties, associated garages and access into adjoining grassed area from Kennel Lane.

The applicant, Mrs T Wood, said the barn, which was part of Woodland Farm, has not been used for agricultural purposes for over 20 years.

The application states: 'The proposal meets the criteria for redevelopment of a brown field site within an established residential area and it would have a negligible impact, if any, on neighbours while safeguarding the building for the foreseeable future.'

The application on the South Hams Council planning website has already received 12 letters of objection all sharing concerns for the safety of children and other residents.

However, Devon County Council's highways authority said it is minded not to object the application.

A spokesman said: 'The highway authority has had consideration of the objections presented by local residents on highway grounds and on balance is minded not to object to the application for the following reasons.

'While the lane leading to the site does have an open drain adjacent to it, it is still three metres in width and affords a good junction with Woodland Road.

'Practically a car can pass a pedestrian as a car is two metres and a pedestrian is 0.6m.

'There is good forward visibility for drivers to make a judgement over appropriate speed of travel.

'While the access points directly onto the lane are poor there is little if any traffic that, in theory, uses the lane as confirmed by the locals. Therefore the visibility splays set out in the national guidance with the exception of a couple of metres needed to deal with potential pedestrians are not needed.

'The barn also has a permitted agricultural use class which, in theory, could generate a number of larger vehicles than would be likely to be generated by any residential development.'

Members of the public have until today, today to submit comments on the application to South Hams Council. Comments will still be accepted after the closing date.

To view the full application or to submit a comment visit http://www.southhams">www.southhams. gov.uk and type in planning application number 27/1159/15/F or write to South Hams Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5NE.