Swale council’s planning committee has discussed more details about a 224-home development.

Proposals for the land at Watermark, off Staplehurst Road, Sittingbourne, were approved by members back in 2012.

It will be a mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses and one- and two-bedroom flats. Initially, approval was given for 300 houses, but this has since been reduced by developer Redrow Homes.

At a meeting on Thursday, members talked in more detail about the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping as well as access, parking and open space.

Much of the discussion focused on councillors’ concerns about parking and how often on new estates there can be problems caused by cars parked inconsiderately, making access for emergency vehicles, dust-carts and delivery lorries difficult.

Another point raised was how noisy it could be for people who buy the houses with the A249 so close by.

Agent David Harvey spoke and said the application has been the subject of extensive discussions. “It will be in a well-designed scheme where people will want to live,” he said.

Members agreed to approve the reserved matters, subject to the submission and approval of detailed landscaping and to a number of issues the officers have being resolved.

The new homes will be opposite the Sonora Fields development, across the road from the Jenny Wren pub and restaurant.