A decision on whether to build a large estate in a village already set for 1,300 new homes has been pushed back.

The controversial scheme - which includes a doctors’ surgery, pharmacy, community hub, sports facilities and allotments - is planned for Scocles Road in Minster, Sheppey.

But despite being recommended for approval, councillors unanimously voted to defer a decision on the proposal, for 650 homes, due to concerns over road safety and the level of developer contributions.

It was felt the road network would not be able to cope with the extra traffic, despite two new roundabouts being included in the proposals.

Scocles Road roundabout, which connects Thistle Hill Way, would be an expanded version of the current roundabout while the other would provide a link to the A2500 Lower Road.

During Swale council’s planning committee meeting on Thursday (October 10), cllr Elliott Jayes (Swale Ind Alliance) pointed to the lack of a highway impact assessment for Scocles Road which he called an “accident blackspot”.

The Sheppey Central representative said: “The road is not wide enough for two cars and coaches use it at speed. Every fortnight we see accidents and it would not be long until we see a death in this location.

“More traffic would only congest the roads. The pavement is barely 30 cm wide in places and is not wide enough for a wheelchair or a buggy, yet the application talks about walking and cycling.

“An additional roundabout needs to be included at the junction between Scocles Road and Lower Road.”

He also raised fears that the doctors’ surgery and pharmacy included in the proposals would not come forward as it is subject to a three-stage NHS Integrated Care Board approval review.

As plans are only for outline permission cllr Jayes also wanted firm commitments to the community hub, outdoor sports facilities and allotments from the applicant – MLN Ltd.

Residents and councillors told KentOnline ahead of the meeting that the ”excessive development” of the village was not in the “best interests of the Isle of Sheppey”.

The application is just one of seven for the village where 1,300 homes have already been given planning permission.

If approved, the total number of homes granted since October 2017 will be 1,984.

However, the developer’s representative Simon Kite argued the project offers an opportunity to “quickly deliver” 270 affordable homes.

Swale council declared a social housing emergency in April, with more than 1,600 households on the housing register.

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In June alone there were 893 applicants for affordable housing and 394 households living in temporary accommodation on Sheppey, according to Mr Kite.

He said: “The social housing represents £60million worth of investment into social infrastructure and the first phase of the build would be the construction of these homes.

“It would quickly address the chronic shortage of affordable houses in Swale.”

Cllr Richard Palmer (Swale Ind Alliance) said while he supported the social housing he could not give his approval for the plans due to the road situation.

The Upchurch and Newington representative said: “This fails on the highways test but I do like the idea of the affordable housing.”

Cllr Angela Harrison (Lab) supported the application and said councillors should “stop playing to gallery”.

The Sheerness representative said: “[Affordable housing of] 41% is damned good when this council agreed there would be none and has an out-of-date Local Plan.

“We need to be more honest with people, there are hundreds of applicants on Sheppey who need a home.

“When I was growing up some of the houses that people are living in now were green fields.

“I don’t like the ‘I’m alright Jack’ attitude. We should be thinking about people who are in desperate need of a home.”

Cllr Jayes proposed a motion to defer the application which was passed unanimously.

He said it would allow time to negotiate better section 106 agreements and secure road improvements.

He added: “Once this has been tightened up, the community will be able to make a more informed decision. The report does not quite meet that yet."

It is not yet known when the proposal will come back to the planning committee for a decision.