Campaigners will have to wait longer to hear the outcome of a public inquiry into a controversial planning application.

The Planning Inspectorate has been hearing representations from politicians, residents, and developers regarding plans to build 1,250 homes on orchards off Pump Lane, Rainham.

The online inquiry began on Monday, February 15, and last week, developers AC Goatham and Son submitted their proposals on how to mitigate the impact on traffic at the Bowaters and Will Adams roundabouts, Gillingham, should the development be approved.

The submission of the plans means experts at Medway Council need to model the impact of the measures before proceedings can go ahead, and this is expected to take up to mid-April.

The inquiry has been continuing this week, during which planning inspector Jennifer Vyse has been hearing matters related to planning.

She will also be undertaking a site visit on Thursday; the hearing will adjourn on Friday before resuming mid-April.

Cllr Martin Potter (Con), who has been taking part in the inquiry, said the submission of the plans now meant the inquiry was not likely to conclude until the end of April.

The Rainham North councillor said: "That needs to be modelled by the experts to see what impact that would have, if any.

"I don't see anything we can do to the roundabouts to compensate for the amount of traffic."

After all the evidence has been heard, the planning inspector's report will be sent to the Secretary of State and the final decision will be published several weeks later.

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