A date has been set for a three-day public inquiry into Sheppey’s controversial Seager Road housing development.

A planning inspector will open the hearing at 10am on Tuesday, May 24, at Swale council’s offices in Sittingbourne.

The 27 new houses and eight flats have stood empty since last April when councillors unanimously voted to have them demolished because some were too high and breached the original planning permission given in 2010.

Moat Homes lodged an appeal after failing to get retrospective permission when residents complained the homes were 1.7m higher than allowed and 1.5m nearer to neighbouring properties. The layout of garages and rooms was also different.

The council’s planning officers initially recommended approval. But councillors were adamant the breaches were too serious.

Swale has demanded the homes be demolished and the ground, which now has large concrete slabs of floating foundations, be returned to its original condition.

Meanwhile, workmen have altered the driveway to the development off Marine Parade opposite the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club.

Campaigner Susan Holmes, of nearby Barnsley Close, said: “We are hoping the planning inspector will find in our favour. Moat Homes breached planning permission on 10 different points.

"No one disputes the need for affordable housing. Moat Homes knows the rules but chose to ignore them. We were heartened councillors unanimously rejected the plans not just once but twice.”

Seager Road resident Wayne Featherstone, 54, said: “We have never objected to affordable housing. This is all about developers following plans.

“If they had done that at the start, there would have been people in those homes by now.”

Moat Homes previously said: “We will continue to work with Swale council and the local community to ensure that much-needed affordable homes are delivered for the area.”