Controversial plans for 153 homes to be built at the end of a residential street have been recommended for approval despite objections from residents and two councils.

Developer Keepmoat Homes wants to build the houses – 44 two-beds, 83 three-beds and 26 four-beds – on a 13-acre site off Belgrave Road in Halfway, Sheppey.

There have been more than 30 letters of objection, raising concerns such as existing properties being overlooked, that Halfway is unable to cope with more traffic and the junction of Belgrave Road and Queenborough Road already being dangerous.

Queenborough Town Council and Minster Parish Council both said the development would have a detrimental impact on roads, particularly Queenborough Road and the Halfway lights. They also noted how the Halfway junction was already gridlocked daily.

But Swale council’s head of planning James Freeman has recommended permission be granted, subject to conditions including the developer paying Section 106 contributions.

He said: “The application is allocated in the adopted Local Plan for residential use and the proposal is considered to respond well to the context of the site. The scheme would not give rise to any unacceptable impacts upon highway, visual or residential amenities and there are no objections from technical consultees.”

He added that the council was unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing sites and this development “would contribute towards addressing this identified under supply”.

If the plans are given the go ahead, Kent County Council Highways said the Halfway lights would be altered so traffic could no longer join the lights from The Crescent – it would only be able to turn into The Crescent. Belgrave Road would be widened, the Queenborough Road junction would be improved so drivers can see better and the 30mph speed limit would be extended to Queenborough Corner.

The plans are due to be discussed by Swale’s Planning Committee tonight, which will be held at Swale House in Sittingbourne’s East Street from 7pm.

To view the proposals, click here and search for 19/501921/FULL.

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