Controversial plans for 153 homes to be built at the end of a residential street have been approved by Swale council despite opposition from neighbours.

At the authority's Planning Committee meeting last night, members voted in favour of the Keepmoat Homes proposal for land off Belgrave Road in Halfway, Sheppey.

A decision had been deferred when the committee met in December after councillors voted 11 to five to reject the application. Swale’s development manager Andy Jeffers called the decision in so advice could be given on the implications of turning it down should the applicant appeal to the planning inspectorate.

Soon after, the developer said it would provide each new home with £100 towards using public transport or buying a bike if the development was given the go ahead.

The incentive, it said, would be in addition to changes the developer had already proposed for nearby roads.

These included the Halfway traffic lights being altered so traffic would not join the lights from The Crescent, it would only be able to turn into The Crescent, parts of Belgrave Road being widened by 50cm, the Queenborough Road junction being improved so drivers can see better and extending the 30mph speed limit to Queenborough Corner.

The changes were not enough, however, said Philip Healy, who spoke on behalf of neighbours at yesterday's meeting.

"We believe the fudge that is proposed at the junction won't improve the situation as the majority of cars don't adhere to the speed limit, therefore gaining access to Queenborough Road will be much the same as before," he said.

He also questioned why these homes were going to be built if there was "no demand" for them from the local community and warned that homes in nearby Ashley Close and Rosemary Avenue would be overlooked by the new development.

Planning agent Thijs Bax, speaking on behalf of Keepmoat Homes, highlighted the fact the developer was providing each dwelling the financial incentives, on top of the junction changes, to "help address" concerns about the road network – which was met with laughter from the public gallery.

"These incentives should promote a shift away from car travel and, in turn, reduce the site's overall impact upon the local highway network," he said.

He added that, although affordable housing was not required on Sheppey, the scheme proposed 16 affordable dwellings.

Cllr Ghlin Whelan (Lab), the council's deputy cabinet member for housing, spoke as a visiting member at the meeting and said the main reason he supported the development was because of the affordable housing. "10% in an area where zero is mandatory is a real bonus," he said.

An amendment suggested by Cllr Ben J Martin (Lib Dem) to increase the financial incentive for travel to £100 per bedroom instead of per dwelling was agreed. As was an amendment, suggested by Cllr Monique Bonney (Ind), to make sure the works to Halfway traffic lights and the Belgrave Road junction with Queenborough Road were implemented before the occupation of the first home, rather than the 50th one. Both amendments were subject to the developer agreeing.

When put to the vote, planning permission was granted.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Cameron Beart (Con), who represents Queenborough and Halfway, and who voted against the development, said he was "deeply frustrated" it had been approved.

He added: "I don't believe Belgrave Road, even with the improvements proposed, can sustain the level of traffic that will be expected of it and the junction with Queenborough Road will remain a worrying issue. I just hope we are wrong and we don't see this become a significant danger in the future."

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