A care home’s plans to build a sewage system has been put on hold after concerns were raised about the potential impact on a trout farm and a stream close to Leeds Castle.

Parkwood House care home has come under fire for proposing to replace its septic tank.

MP Helen Whately has written to Maidstone Borough Council voicing concerns the proposed treatment plant and drainage field could cause pollution.

This comes after she received a letter from neighbours at Parkwood Trout Farm suggesting the field would be “distasteful” and potentially pollute their chalk stream.

Mrs Whately wrote: “I would be grateful if you could look very carefully at the potential impact of this planning application on Parkwood Trout Farm and the nearby stream serving Leeds Castle and other properties.

“The applicant needs to evidence they have explored all alternative options, before getting approval for the proposal that could cause most harm to Trout Farm and the wider local environment.”

The home's owners from Caretech Community Services have dismissed claims by the farmers claim the site could connect its waste to the local primary school, saying this is not feasible.

The company says this is because the nearest public sewerage connection is around 425 metres away and the nearest private waste connection is not suitable.

The new package sewage plant would be mostly underground with only a small compressor housing barely visible through the trees, bosses added.

The planning committee voted unanimously to defer the decision so they can consult experts on these areas of concern.