PLANS to develop 350 homes on a golf course in Butts Lane, Stanford-Le-Hope have been put on hold for a month by Thurrock’s planning committee.

At a meeting on Thursday evening, members decided that a full site visit was necessary before any decision was made on a number of issues under the reserved matters application.

Concerns including insufficient parking spaces for the community building and the loss of some amenity to the current residents as well as landscaping, layout and access worries were amde apparent.

The controversial development by Barratts, earmarked for land that used to belong to St Clere’s golf course, received outline planning permission from Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in March 2012, despite fierce opposition from residents.

The homes would be two, three and four bedroom family houses and would be based on over 100 acres of green belt land.

Terry Piccolo, a long-standing campaigner against the development, spoke at the meeting and said: “There is a lack of parking at the community hall and this is something that needs to be addressed. It is used on a regular basis by a number of different groups.

“I would urge the committee to defer the issue until my concerns have been investigated.”

Shane Hebb, a ward councillor for Stanford West, said conditions needed to be put in place before approval was given.

He said: “As things are, an easterly wind would blow dust from the construction site onto existing properties and there is a major issue regarding construction traffic access to the site. The extra vehicles of the street will cause problems with parking, as well as concerns about right of way, access and headlight pollution.

"This development was not one I ever supported, but it is unfortunately going to happen and I am determined to get the best deal possible for residents.”

Alison Crofton, Technical Director at Barratts, said there were parking spaces near the community centre that could be used and said the developer was in talks with the golf club about using an alternative access route for construction vehicles to the site via the A13 rather than Butts Lane.

Three local people will also be hired as apprentices to work on the project.