Plans to build more than 50 new homes in Linlithgow have been put on hold for the time being.
Cala want to build 54 properties off Blackness Road and planners from West Lothian Council had recommended granting permission with conditions.
However the local authority's development management committee wants more information, and guarantees that school places will be available for families moving into the new homes.
Locals had also been voicing concerns about road safety on Blackness Road and John Kelly, planning secretary of Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council, said they did not object in principle to the development, but they want to road made safer.
He said there were strong objections for the proposed T-junction and widening of the road. He pointed to council figures which revealed a car passes the junction with the nearby Springfield Road every four seconds in peak times.
He added that the advantages of a roundabout as a traffic calming measure were “were plain to see".
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“Traffic entering Linlithgow would be slowed down. A roundabout would demonstrate a difference between rural road to the north and the suburban road to the south. It is preferable to design intraffic calming,” said Mr Kelly.
Chris Nicol from the roads department said that a roundabout was not required for a development of this size. If the council had to demand a roundabout as a condition Cala could appeal.
Installing a roundabout would also involve removal of a protected tree in the north-east corner, known locally as the “hanging tree”.
Claims that there would be adequate school places because of the plan to build the new Winchburgh High School also generated questions and doubts from several committee members.
Andrew Cotton, education planning officer, said there would be no occupation of the new estate prior to August 2020 and the development would be phased over three years.
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Councillor Stuart Borrowman pointed out that Armadale Academy was three and a half years late in being built, adding: “Between 20 to 25 per cent of all council capital projects are running late. What is the status? Can we, as it were, put the kettle on, on this school [Winchburgh] being available on the date being suggested?”
Mr Cotton said his understanding was the Winchburgh school was “fully on track” to open in August 2022.
Councillor Tom Kerr suggested he would support a continuation on the decision, adding: “I do have concerns about traffic flow on that main road. I cannot see the introduction of that junction helping the safety.”
Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick proposed a continuation for two meetings to allow further information on school place numbers to come to committee and more discussion on road safety. The committee agreed.
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