Development of 240 homes in Elmswell likened to “Cell Block H” have been delayed for a second time in a month.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee deferred a decision on the application by Crest Nicholson for the site off Wetherden Road at the beginning of August, after a scathing assessment of the designs which included comments that it was “fit for Luton” and “reminds one of Cell Block H”.The matter came back to committee on Wednesday, but has now been delayed for a second time – this time as a result of a late submission.

The planning officer said: “I am aware that members were sent documentation regarding other applications and this question of tandem parking.

“It was sent late on Friday and we haven’t had a chance to analyse that and report on it.”

The committee voted to defer it until a later date in order for officers to properly assess the submission and help ensure consistency of decisions.

Among the concerns raised by the committee previously were the tandem parking – one car parked behind another – which it was felt could cause more on-the-road parking, and that the house designs looked dated.

Crest Nicholson’s submission said that the plans met Suffolk County Council’s guidance for parking, and pointed to two other applications which also featured tandem parking that were approved by the committee.

The document added that Crest Nicholson had made some alterations to some of the property designs to alleviate fears, and clarified that the layout proposed 21 house types with 32 variations.

A spokesman said: “Naturally we are disappointed that Mid Suffolk District Council has again decided to defer its decision on our proposed development in Elmswell, despite the fact the application had been recommended for approval by the professional team at Mid Suffolk.

“Crest Nicholson has always enjoyed a good relationship with Mid Suffolk and as such we undertook work with the council to better explain our design rationale and demonstrate that our application meets all relevant guidelines.

“We are currently considering our next steps.”

Outline planning permission was approved in March this year, but work cannot begin until the reserved matters regarding the design and layout have been approved.

A date for its return to the committee has not yet been set.