A document has been criticised for proposing houses on “unsuitable” sites in Sandwich.

The Land Allocation Plan released by Dover District Council (DDC) outlines prime locations for housing.

The document states that St Bart’s Road would be suitable for 120 houses and Deal Road has been identified for 60 homes.

However, Sandwich town councillors claim it ignores a warning from Southern Water that there is not adequate sewerage systems in these areas and also that Sandwich Leisure Centre may need this area to expand.

Cllr Joe Trussler said: “Southern Water is saying there is not adequate sewerage systems there to take this amount of houses. We can’t go building houses with no sewerage.”

The plan states: “The development should provide a connection to the sewerage system at the nearest point of adequate capacity” but Cllr Trussler’s concern was that it would be too far away from the development.

Cllr Paul Carter added: “Sandwich Technology School needs to expand, it is taking students from Walmer and Chaucer in Canterbury. If we take away the land then they can not expand.”

The document does state that the school and leisure centre may wish to expand but councillors feel this had not been taken into account.

However, the district council says the document has been amended to allow for this and any development would have to consider these factors.

A resolution has now been passed by the town council to put all concerns to DDC.

"We can’t go building houses with no sewerage.” - Cllr Trussler.

A spokesman for DDC said: “The proposed modifications to the land allocations on Deal Road and St Bart’s Road seek to ensure that any future developments meets the requirements for water and drainage and any contributions to off-site infrastructure that may be necessary.

“The allocations are for both residential development and the expansion of the sports and leisure centre so that the two uses can be planned comprehensively.”

This meant that any developer that proposed to build on the site should ensure there was adequate drainage and must work alongside the leisure centre.