A decision on the controversial Perry Court development in Faversham went unresolved last night after a senior officer forced the debate to be abandoned.

Swale Council’s head of planning James Freeman had recommended the massive development on the south of the A2 be approved but realised planning committee members were poised to reject it.

He intervened amid angry scenes at a packed Swale House meeting in which the authority was accused of riding roughshod over democracy.

The application – which includes 310 houses, a 100-room hotel, three gypsy pitches, store and restaurant and playground – has been universally condemned by townspeople.

It provoked 300 letters or of objection and a 565-name petition.

Faversham resident Brian Tovey told the committee: “Not one resident has supported this application, this is not a nimby response.”

Members of the planning committee also raised doubts about passing the scheme, which is particularly contentious because the land it would sit on has historically been protected from development.

Cllr David Simmons said: “You have before you this evening a very difficult decision, one for which you will be damned if you do and damned if you don’t – made all the more difficult by the officers’ recommendation for approval.

“Give approval, and you are ignoring the overwhelming weight of public opinion.”

Cllr Simmons suggested that the brownfield Nova site would be preferable for development.

Cllr Mark Ellen added: “I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen so many people objecting.”

And Cllr Andy Booth recommended that a decision on Perry Court be deferred.

But Cllr Mike Henderson told the meeting: “I’m not sure what that is going to achieve.

“It is a very difficult decision to make. I’m not sure in the long term what my view might be, but I am absolutely clear in the shorter term. This is a premature proposal, there is no question about that.”

Cllr Henderson added that Swale’s Local Plan, the planning blueprint for the entire borough, should be finalised before an application as large as Perry Court is approved.

David Murray-Cox, the agent for the developer Hallam Land Management, tried to persuade the committee to back the plan.

He said: “This proposal will develop a sustainable, accessible and high quality development.

“The council is unable to demonstrate its five-year house supply.

“The level of housing needed in Faversham is significantly greater than planned for.”

But Mr Freeman warned councillors that if they failed to resolve the situation then they faced the prospect of the decision being taken out of their hands.

And committee chairman Bryan Mulhern said the subject of Perry Court postponed and the debate abandoned because councillors looked intent on overturning the head of planning’s recommendation to approve.

Cllr James Hunt said: “It is a difficult decision, it has come at the wrong time. We have not got the local plan sorted out.”