A decision over plans to erect more than 200 flats on a greenfield site has been pushed back amid concerns over parking.

Bellway Homes proposes to build seven apartment blocks between Crossways Boulevard and St Mary's Road in Greenhithe.

In total, the developer plans to create 258 one, two and three bedroom flats, the majority of which will have their own private balcony.

This is to be accompanied by parking, cycle storage, a central children's play area and a large podium courtyard.

Last night members of Dartford council's development control board met to debate the application dubbed "Crossways Quarter" land has previously been subject to two separate planning bids, first for a five storey hotel, and later 152 flats.

Bellway plans to step in and expand upon that offering and erect 258 flats on the greenfield site but concerns were raised by planning officers over the quota of affordable housing offered.

The developer had initially indicated it would be compliant with the council's policy of 30% affordable homes.

But this was scaled back on submission of its viability assessment in which it conceded this had been reduced to 10% on account of "the impact of the global pandemic on the cost of the development relative to sale prices".

Of those affordable homes which are to be grouped together in one block, 80% will be shared ownership and 20% affordable rented.

Greenhithe Cllr David Mote (Con) said it was "regrettably small", calculating this would mean just 25 homes were allocated in this way and sought assurances from Bellway priority provision would be factored in.

The homebuilders pledged that priority would be given to existing Dartford residents and councillors were told it would use its existing marketing suite at the new Copperhouse Green development in the town centre to promote this.

Several concessions were also sought from the developer on transport options including a new Fastrack bus stop, month's free bus pass and an expanded car club scheme with four slots where residents can rent out vehicles for the day.

However, Cllr Brian Garden (Con) dismissed some of these mitigation measures.

"One thing Covid has taught us is being able to visit or be visited by our family and friends is absolutely essential," he said.

"It is a very dense, inadequate, inelegant open space for people to exercise and I don't think the incentive to use public transport is strong enough. One month on a bus, no thank you!"

Labour councillors for Newton Laura Edie and Adrian Oakley-Dow both sought clarifications from the developers over its plans to sustain ecology on the greenfield site.

It comes after a Kent County Council report noted a "capture, rescue and translocation exercise" would be needed for the lizards and snakes on site prior to any construction.

But parking proved to be the major stick point for councillors who tussled over possible alternatives to what is currently on offer.

Considering the knock-on effect of a lack of parking spaces for the development on surrounding streets Cllr David Mote queried whether some of the green spaces may be better utilised for these purposes.

"The need for more parking on this site is paramount."

In agreement was Cllr Lucas Reynolds (Con) who said: "The need for more parking on this site is paramount."

But Cllr Edie urged caution when it came to paving over green spaces.

She said: "I really think that people in lockdown have realised how important green spaces are.

"It really just helps people's mental health just standing in green spaces. If we are going to be working from home I think it important to keep these areas."

Councillors asked planning officers whether a review of the parking allocation could be undertaken as well as the adaptation of proposed communal green areas which might free up more spaces.

It was also suggested that a review be built into any agreement if the developers don't start construction in the next three years.

Because of the nature of these amendments planning officers recommended a decision on the development be deferred to which councillors voted unanimously to approve.

The development control board will next meet on Thursday, December 17.

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