Plans for 450 houses at Whiston "will make Worrygoose roundabout traffic three times worse"

And Highways England has called for a decision on the proposals for Lathe Road, Whiston, to be delayed by six months for a full review of the impact.

The concern was raised when JVH Town Planning Consultants announced the proposals in January for the former greenbelt site.

Ian Ferguson, Rotherham Borough Council senior highways officer, said traffic modelling showed a 300 per cent increase in morning rush hour at Worrygoose island.

His report to the planning department added: “This is considered to be severe such that improvements are required at the junction.”

It added that the Broom Road/Broom Lane junction would see increased delays at certain times and the Brecks roundabout would be above capacity on weekday afternoons.

Highways England, which has submitted its own report, said: “We recommend that planning permission not be granted for six months in order to allow time for a full review of the impact of the proposals on the strategic road network and resolve any outstanding issues.”

Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Archaeological Service has highlighted the possibility of late prehistoric and Romano-British features on the proposed site. 

Spokesman Jim McNeil requested trial trench before Rotherham Borough Council’s planning board makes a call on the housing plan.

Colin Taylor, chairman of Whiston Residents Action Group, said: “These reports provide further evidence that this planning application is flawed. 

 “The questions raised reinforce the arguments that this development should not proceed. I appeal to the council to reject this application and return this land to greenbelt status.”

Traffic, school places and drainage were the main concerns at JVH’s drop-in sessions in January. The firm is preparing plans for 250 more properties on a neighbouring plot at the other side of Shrogswood Road.