Harwich Town Council has welcomed news that a controversial 300 home development in Dovercourt has been deferred by the district.

Tendring District Council has decided to hold back a decision on the plans, for homes off Low Road, until officers look at other options for access to the site.

Concerns had been raised over the development’s suitability for the area - whether the roads can handle the expected increase in traffic and the effect the added population would have on already-stretched public services.

Charlie Powell, chairman of Harwich Town Council’s planning committee, said: “We had objected on the grounds that the local infrastructure was insufficient to sustain an additional development of this scale.

“We have two GP practices in the town which will be unable to support this development.

“They are already booked solid and are having to turn people away.

“With 300 new homes there they just won’t be able to cope.

“Harwich Town Council also believe the access is inappropriate and doesn’t perform to appropriate and satisfactory standards and frankly need a complete redesign.

“We also remain unconvinced that attention has been paid to the wildlife in the area and to the A120.”

Although the land earmarked for the homes lies outside of the district’s Local Plan for housebuilding, it is specifically included in the new Draft Local Plan.

Mr Powell urged the council to be transparent when it comes to making its decision.

He said: “All we would suggest is that the application is determined in a public discussion, rather than being talked about by the district’s planning officers behind closed doors.

“This is not just my view but the view of the council.

“Residents are not very happy with the development at all.

“I understand we need more houses but we have got to have the infrastructure right first.”

A spokesman for Tendring District Council said the planning committee has asked that officers look at other options for access onto the site, including the possibility of a roundabout, before the application comes back before councillors.

He also said officers would be examining the issue of potential war graves next to the site.