A decision on plans for hundreds of homes has been further delayed after councillors raised concerns about a new crossing at a busy junction.

Councillors considered plans to build 374 flats at the derelict Bardell Wharf site near Star Hill in Rochester on Wednesday.

But Medway Council's planning committee decided to defer its decision so members could hear more about the highway changes which are proposed as part of the plans, which have been put forward by Donard Homes.

They include relocating the pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Star Hill further towards Corporation Street.

Officers said this would allow the amendment of the timings of the traffic signals.

The homes would be between one and three bedrooms and set across three blocks, the highest of which would be 11 storeys high. There would also be three commercial units.

The plans also include demolishing all existing warehouse and industrial buildings on site.

Introducing the proposals, head of planning Dave Harris said plans to develop the site had been some 30 years in the making.

He added how the alterations to the Star Hill junction would better connect pedestrians leaving the High Street to the Chatham Intra area.

He said a lot of people walking along the High Street get to the end where it meets Star Hill then turn around.

However, Cllr Stuart Tranter (Con), said: "I am not convinced by the arguments concerning that junction at all and I would like there to be more time spent on that because I think we have to get that right.

"Many of the residents have talked about that horrible junction.

"I don't think we have done enough to improve it at this stage.

"Star Hill is such a busy road, people don't like to go across there."

Speaking of the wider development, the Rochester West representative added: "This will have an enormous impact on Rochester, there's absolutely no doubt about it.

"It is one of the most critical developments in the area so we have to get this as good as we possibly can at the moment within the constraints that we have."

Cllr Stephen Hubbard (Lab), added how he had seen pedestrians making dangerous movements across the road.

He also said he thought where pedestrians would end up having crossed over from the High Street when the crossing was relocated was too narrow and therefore unsafe.

Cllr Tranter proposed the deferral so councillors could meet highways officers to discuss members' concerns, which was unanimously supported.

He was also concerned about how the developer's contributions only included a £103,000 payment towards special protection areas, saying how he would like to see more funds for the community.

Mr Harris said the Section 106 contributions were set as such because the developer had offered to provide 10% of the homes as affordable accommodation.

Councillors had been due to discuss the plans last month, but they were pulled from the agenda.