FEARS that "World War Three" could break out on an Edenbridge housing estate if new homes are built have been voiced by residents.

Cedar Drive homeowners are opposed to Sevenoaks District Council's proposals to build on green space behind them, saying it would exacerbate their already terrible parking problems and swallow up existing spaces.

They also say the road has become so congested that emergency vehicles and bin lorries struggle to get through and they fear extra homes would make it even more dangerous.

Annette Ekins, 72, who has lived in the road for 45 years, said: "I think World War Three's going to break out.

"We're all tearing our hair out with the parking now.

"If someone was dying of a heart attack they can't get round to you. They have to carry you out on a stretcher."

Neighbour and father-of-four John Simmons added: "Parking is worse than critical.

"They (emergency vehicles) can't get round the right way. The dustcart has to reverse up the wrong way."

The council has earmarked the site as a possible area for development and would like to build seven homes on it to help meet its remaining Government housing targets.

Plans are still in the consultation stage and councillors stressed they are keen to hear residents' thoughts, but said the area was a strong possibility for development.

Mrs Ekins said there were more accessible alternative sites on the estate which could accommodate the new homes.

She said: "I'm not saying seven shouldn't be built, but we have got bigger greens than that on the estate. The parking where we are is absolutely abominable. We can't park now."

Conrad Bratchet-Smith, 43, a Formula One mechanic, who has lived in the road for 14 years, agreed. "This development will make things worse," he said.

"I have seen ambulance crews bringing patients down the road trying to get to the ambulance.

"I'm opposed to it because it's dangerous," the father-of-three added.

Jill Davison, district council portfolio holder for strategic planning, said officers had looked at the site "theoretically".

She added: "That is a site which is ample for building seven houses on in theory, but what we're doing at the moment is listening to the concerns that local people have to pick up extra problems that they actually see that may not be immediately obvious.

"If it does become an allocation in the final decision whatever is done to it will have to take into account all these problems."