Go slow when entering the awful settlement (7)
I believe the answer is:
village
'awful settlement' is the definition.
'village' can be an answer for 'settlement' (synonyms). I am not sure about the 'awful' bit.
'go slow when entering' is the wordplay.
'go' becomes 'vile' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'slow' becomes 'lag' (to lag is to be slow).
'when entering' indicates putting letters inside.
'vile' going around 'lag' is 'VILLAGE'.
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for village that I've seen before include "Small residential area" , "Goldsmith poem 'The Deserted .......'" , "little place" , "Large hamlet" , "Small rural settlement" .)