Plans for as many as 150 homes in a small village have been put back as the planning authority faces a potential judicial review.

Three separate development applications on land in Kentford, near Newmarket, were due to be debated by Forest Heath District Council’s development control panel on Wednesday.

The council had recommended two applications –one for 16 homes off Bury Road, the other for 88 homes on land east of Gazeley Road – be refused, and that another for 60 homes at Herringswell Road be approved.

However, Forest Heath has been notified of a potential legal challenge from solicitors acting on behalf of Persimmon Homes – the applicant for the development off Gazeley Road.

The 16-home application for Bury Road has also been withdrawn.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council has received notice of a potential challenge of judicial review in relation to all of these applications.

“The council is taking legal advice on this matter to ensure that the committee are provided with the appropriate level of information and advice to enable members to make an informed decision on planning applications.”

The two applications will now go before the development control committee in February.

The scheme recommended for approval has been submitted by Robert Bryce, Kentford Developments Ltd and Pigeon Investment, and has been scaled back from 98 properties.

It is not the first time potential housing development had caused problems in the village.

Plans to build more than 100 homes at Meddler Stud were rejected by Forest Heath last year, and again at appeal due to the impact it would have on the horse racing industry.