The publication of Swale council’s long-overdue housing plans for the future has been delayed again.

A draft version of Bearing Fruits 2031 was written in April 2015 but had to be changed when government planning inspector Sue Turner ruled it didn’t include enough houses.

It was amended and it is understood the new plan has been accepted by the inspector and is ready to be agreed by the full council.

The blueprint was due to be unveiled in April but officers say it won’t be discussed until after the election on June 8.

A council spokesman confirmed: “We are expecting the planning inspector to send us her report once the election is over and we will finally be out of purdah. We presume this means June 9 but it might be the following week.”

But Swale council’s Labour leader Cllr Roger Truelove fumed: “This report has already been held back to avoid political embarrassment during the county council elections.

"The fact that it is now being put off until a day after the general election is obviously politically motivated.

“This looks ominous for those areas like Cryalls Lane at Borden, Sittingbourne, and Barton Hill Drive, Minster, on Sheppey which are on the council’s radar for more housing.”