A plan for 60 homes at Crookedholm got the go-ahead despite more than 50 objections being received.
There were fears extra traffic from the development could shut down the village, a planning committee heard.
Developers Andrew Barclay and Allanvale Land Investments applied for permission to construct dozens of two-storey detached and semi-detached properties at Grougar Road.
Villager Stuart Anderson said: “I am very concerned about the construction traffic.
“I work for the Ayrshire Roads Alliance. I know that road is not suitable for heavy traffic.
“We have kids crossing to go to the play park. Child safety is a big issue here.”
He added: “If one kid dies because of this we could not live with ourselves if this is passed.”
The grandfather is also worried about the Suds (sustainable drainage system) clogging up.
Mr Anderson said: “The Suds system will be behind my property. Suds systems are not failsafe. We need a back-up or I will be swimming at my back door.”
Ayrshire Roads Alliance has ordered the developer to pay for traffic lights at the junction of Grougar Road and Main Road.
The developer has also agreed to widen Grougar Road, which will be the access road to the new homes.
Developer Jim Kirkwood said: “I believe we have done everything we can within our gift as developers and land owners to improve the situation.”
He said measures could improve road safety in the village and added his team would provide a traffic management plan for work vehicles.
Mr Kirkwood told the East Ayrshire Council planning committee that construction traffic could possibly go down a farm road to avoid the busy village.
Councillor Neil McGhee said traffic on Grougar Road is “non-stop”.
The developer also must carry out work to deal with a coal mine shaft. The Coal Authority described the application site as a “development high risk area”.
The meeting heard the Ayrshire Roads Alliance plans to install road safety measures in the village.
The application was approved on Friday after the majority of councillors voted to give it the green light.
Councillor Fiona Campbell voted to reject the housing bid, based on road safety and congestion.
That was seconded by Councillor Ellen Freel.
