Unpopular plans to build 64 homes in fields at the back of a residential street have been sent to the Planning Inspectorate.

It comes after Swale council failed to give notice of its decision for the proposed development in Nelson Avenue, Minster, on Sheppey.

Developers, who sought outline planning permission to build a selection of three- and four-bedroom homes, some of which will be two-and-a-half storeys high.

An existing bungalow would also need to be demolished to create an access to the estate which also runs alongside Elm Lane.

The applicants have called for a public inquiry into the matter.

More than 120 people, including Minster Parish Council, objected to the controversial plans after they were submitted in April 2021.

On Wednesday, March 22, documents on Swale's planning portal revealed the applicant had sent letters to the Planning Inspectorate for an appeal.

A letter said: "The council’s claimed five-year housing land supply position is far worse than that claimed and it is considered important that this is critically assessed by cross examination.

"This is to ensure the Inspector fully and properly understands the deficit and the actual scale of the shortfall.

"The council have taken advice on landscape and visual impact and that work critiques the appellant’s landscape consultant’s advice while not presenting any meaningful evidence to substantiate the conclusions reached.

"In such circumstances, and in view of the findings of the Inspector on the adjacent site subject of the Elm Lane appeal, it is again considered essential that related evidence is subject to full and careful cross examination.

"We consider it necessary to carefully consider the reasons for dismissing the Elm Lane appeal alongside all of the previously submitted documentation for the application subject of this appeal.

"This is to ensure we have fully and carefully evaluated the conclusions of that Inspector in order to clearly explain why the merits of this appeal proposal are materially different and such that the harm concluded to arise in respect of the Elm Lane appeal site will not arise with this proposal.

"We consider this will need cross examination of witnesses to give clarity on the differences between the schemes and the differences in impacts arising."

Nearby residents listed a number of concerns about the development, including a lack of infrastructure, congested roads and flooding.

Neighbour Chester Partington said: "Despite the reduction of houses, I still have concerns over the impact of my quality of life and my neighbours.

"I am concerned about the impact we, as humans, are having on this planet, building developments for no other reason than for developers to become richer.

"The long-term expectation of flooding due to climate change will impact this Island considerably and the increased hard surfaces on the high-level free draining land will negatively affect this."

Julie Clarke added: "There will still be lack of infrastructure. The Island's roads can't cope now. With all these extra houses the Island will be gridlocked with the slightest accident or any road works.

"Nelson Avenue is congested as it is, especially around the area where the proposed new road/junction is going to be.

"All the extra traffic from this development, and that of the others outlined for the area, will make Nelson Avenue, Drake Avenue, Elm Lane and Scocles Road extremely busy and a no go for pedestrians.

"As for parking, this is already a nightmare for many of us and will only get worse."

You can view the plans here, with reference 21/502256/OUT.

Minster Parish Council said it was worried about the loss of open countryside, displacement of wildlife, over-intensive development, surface water flooding and increased traffic.

It added: "The impact on the overall vision of Minster Village and Grade-I Listed Abbey and Gatehouse Museum will be detrimental and cannot be mitigated against.

"This goes against Swale council's Local Plan policy which is to protect and conserve local heritage."