A major first part of the Ebbsfleet garden city project has hit a hurdle with councillors delaying giving planning permission.

A decision on the plan for 500 homes at the Springhead quarter, in Northfleet, has been delayed by Gravesham council’s planners, amid worries over affordable housing, open green space and transport infrastructure.

Councillors have called for a further study into the plan by Countryside Properties Ltd.

Cllr John Burden (Lab), who represents Northfleet South ward, said: “I’m surprised with the application, it’s giving everything away and keeping nothing for local residents.

“There is £200 million [government funding] coming to the area to provide a good community where people can have a good place to live, good expectations of housing and public open space – this is not what they [Countryside Properties Ltd) seem to be providing.”

One issue was the construction of a £9 million bridge to act as a vital link to and from the development. Plans for the bridge were binned by the developers after projected costs were too high.

Cllr Lee Croxton (Lab) who represents Riverside ward, also voiced his concerns and said the number of problems the application had, was like a “shopping list”.

If completed Springhead would be the first phase in the garden city plans for the Ebbsfleet Valley, which would see 15,000 new homes built.

The government has promised £200 million to be invested in infrastructure and has put together the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to oversee the construction of the garden city.

Around 20% of the city will be in Gravesham and 80% in Dartford.

Work at Springhead stopped in 2012 when developers ran out of money and there are currently 298 occupied homes on the site.

The amended planning application also raised eyebrows with Dartford council, Kent County Council and Sport England, all of whom had specific problems with the plans.

The affordable housing allotted for the garden city has been agreed by Land Securities, which is overseeing the building of the whole development, at 25%.

However, council officers projected that Countryside Homes could only provide 12% when it started back up at Springhead.

As for schools, KCC said it would prefer Rosherville primary, in London Road, Northfleet, to be moved to Springhead to cope with the demand, rather than building a new school.

If this happens, Countryside Properties would have to provide £3million to help with the relocation.

Speaking at the meeting, Leslie Christie, of Pepper Hill, a former KCC councillor for Northfleet, said that problems must be addressed as quickly as possible.

He said: “There has to be a school and a family centre provided and there has to be sports facilities and not just outside school hours but inside as well.

“There has to be a provision of affordable housing to allow the local community the opportunity to move into the area.

“There should be some benefits to the actual existing community.”

Councillors on Gravesham’s regulatory board will now meet again on Wednesday to discuss the plan before the site is passed over to the UDC.