Concerns over "poorly" designed houses, risks of anti-social behaviour and a residential "rat-run" being created, were among councillors' reasons for voting down latest plans for a major housing development in Ryde.

Seven years after outline permission was first approved, the 904-home Pennyfeathers scheme is still no closer to being built.

At a meeting on Wednesday, April 12, members voted in favour of refusing the 'reserved matters' — the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development.

Cllr Geoff Brodie said he had no problem with the development, in principle, as "we need more homes". But, he said, this "sort of development would create major problems for the future".

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He criticised the layout of the Multi-Purpose Games Area (MUGA), school and community centre, which are proposed to be built.

He said: "Sticking them half-way down Smallbrook Lane is entirely in the wrong place."

Highlighting concerns raised by police over anti-social behaviour, the meeting heard how installing 'overzealous' fencing had been suggested. 

But planning officers said that could be achieved by hedgerows, instead.

Agreeing with Cllr Brodie's motion to refuse, Cllr Michael Lilley said voting through plans would be a 'disservice to the community'.

He said: "What has been presented to me is a painting by numbers. Housing that comes from a catalogue and a very poor catalogue. 

"To me it's a university grade-three scrape through."

Other reasons for refusal included the use of district heating, the placing of walking and cycling routes, and drivers using the development as a 'rat-run' to avoid the junction with Great Preston Road.

Planning officer Sarah Wilkinson said the aim was to take traffic away from the Westridge crossroads. 

Cllr Debbie Andre warned against rejecting the plans.

She said: "I cannot support refusing an application over reserved matters, which has the potential to deliver 900 homes for 2,500 families needing one."

She also said refusal runs the risk of the council losing its New Homes Bonus — a grant paid by central government to incentivise housing growth.

Ms Wilkinson said she could not confirm whether this was the case.

The reserved matters were refused by six votes to one, with one abstention.