Elements of controversial plans for dozens of homes to be built off a country lane will go before planners this week – with one scheme recommended for approval.

Since 2020, three separate developers have submitted applications for residential estates off Elm Lane in Minster, which together could see 208 new homes built.

Two of the three schemes will be discussed by Swale council’s planning committee tonight.

The first is an outline planning application by Provectus Developments, based in Maidstone, for up to 44 houses to be built on a site in Elm Lane backing onto Drake Avenue.

So far, more than 60 objections have been lodged against the proposal including from Minster Parish Council.

But in a report to councillors, head of planning James Freeman recommended permission be granted subject to a number of conditions including the developer paying Section 106 contributions.

He said: “The lack of a five-year housing land supply triggers the tilted balance and the presumption in favour of development.

“There are no material considerations to outweigh the tilted balance in favour of the scheme.

“I see no material issue that cannot be resolved by conditions and a planning obligation and therefore recommend for approval.”

The second scheme to be discussed this week is for up to 100 homes west of Elm Lane, which must be decided by a government inspector after Swale council failed to make up its mind in time.

Applicants Land Allocation are seeking outline permission to build on 6.4 hectares of farmland behind Nelson Avenue.

More than 170 letters from residents opposed the plans amid predictions existing roads will be unable to cope with additional traffic.

Mr Freeman’s report said: “An appeal has been submitted against non-determination of this application and it cannot now be formally determined by the council.

“However, members need to determine whether the application would have been approved if it was still before them, or on what grounds they would have refused planning permission.

“This will then form the basis of the council’s case regarding the development, for the purposes of the appeal.”

Mr Freeman recommended the proposal should be refused for a number of reasons including that it would “fail to protect the intrinsic value, tranquillity and beauty of the countryside and rural context by virtue of its location outside the well-defined urban boundary of Minster-on-Sea”.

Neighbour Lee Jarmain, who is against the application, has requested to speak at this week’s meeting.

He said: “I hope to remind the planning committee on the significant public interest on the valid planning objections made by residents on this and other applications on Sheppey.

"I have yet to speak to a single resident here that supports this and other applications that are being submitted right now.

“Residents do not want our green spaces destroyed forever and need to see our crumbling and broken infrastructure repaired and improved first before any further developments of this type are considered.

“Burst pipes, congested roads, overstretched and missing doctors surgeries, overburdened schools are just some of the concerns residents have. We might not be facing floods any longer from the sea but we are facing a flood from bricks and mortar.”

“Numerous material considerations have been made objecting to this and the other applications, which are all within a stone’s throw of each other.

“Unfortunately we have already seen houses spring up all round the Minster area and the effects on the increase in road traffic in the area is already very evident.”

A third scheme for 64 homes off Nelson Avenue is awaiting decision.

View all the plans at tinyurl.com/planningkm, with references 21/503124/OUT; 20/504408/OUT and 21/502256/OUT.