It might be a case of too little too late when Swale council turned down plans to build 580 homes on agricultural land.

Planning committee members refused Gladman Developments’ proposal for Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, when they met last Thursday.

Reasons included the impact on the landscape, the permanent loss of versatile agricultural land, air pollution and poor walking routes to the town centre.

However, the matter has been taken out of the local authority’s hands after it failed to make its decision within the eight-week time limit.

As a result the Cheshire-based company has lodged an appeal on the grounds of non-determination.

Although the council’s decision will be taken into consideration, there are fears the plan may be approved by the planning inspectorate as it will take into account the borough’s housing shortage when deciding.

In 2012, Swale’s draft core policy strategy stated that 540 properties a year would need to be built by 2031.

However, the government later adopted the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which favoured 740 homes annually.

Despite this, Swale said it would stick to its guns over its figures based on concerns about the level of building being too high and the lack of adequate transport links and other infrastructure.

Its Local Plan which sets out aims for all development in the borough for the next 16 years, was finished in January but will only be formally adopted by the end of next year at the earliest.

Residents fear the Planning Inspectorate could say the borough is not meeting the government targets, making the development more likely to be given the go-ahead.

As previously reported, Jacqueline Nelson, who lives near the site, accused Swale of being “incompetent” .

Cllr Bryan Mulhern, chairman of the planning committee, defended council officers over the missed deadline.

He said: “The officers have dealt with it thoroughly rather than just throwing it at members as it stands.

“The complexity of the whole application meant it has taken officers much longer than the norm to bring it to the planning committee.

“I was happy, as were members, with the way they proceeded.

“They needed to cross every T and dot every I.”

A date for the Planning Inspectorate to look at the proposal has not been set.

To keep up to date with its progress, visit https://acp.planningportal.gov.uk and search for reference APP/V2255/W/15/3025049.