A council is facing a potentially costly legal battle after a developer appealed its decision to reject plans for student flats.

Canterbury City Council could soon be forced to defend its members' decision to refuse permission for a 146-bed student block on the former St Mary Bredin School site.

The decision, which was against officers' advice, has led to an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by Hythe-based architect Guy Holloway, who designed the adjacent Palamon Court beside the city ring road.

At a meeting in May, council planning officers admitted the arguments were "finely balanced" but recommended the scheme be approved because there was no viable alternative to the old school building, which was also not considered of special merit by Historic England.

While observing that the development would produce a "noticeable change" to the setting of the city wall or Dane John Gardens opposite, they did not believe either would be unduly harmed by the development.

They also believe the scheme will make a significant contribution towards a need for more purpose built student housing which will help reduce pressure on the privately rented housing market.

But councillors decided the proposed building would be "overbearing and oppressive" - a view shared by the Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association, which complained it would “desecrate” the historic site and create a canyon effect on the city ring road.

But architect Mr Holloway, whose Palamon Court was short-listed for an architecture award, says the building was the result of two years work and consultation to achieve the best design.