KENT County Cricket Club has been hit for six by the city council which has told it to take down practise nets put up without permission.

The decision by the development control committee on Tuesday night followed a retrospective planning application by the club.

But councillors have received numerous complaints about the new nets from people living in St Lawrence Forstal, and particularly The Oast, who say they are obtrusive and too near to their homes.

KCCC former president Peter Edgley appealed to the committee to let the nets stay because the improved facilities were vital for the club's progress as a cricket academy for young players and venue for one-day internationals.

He said: "We have done our best to reconcile the issues with our neighbours and regret we did not apply for planning permission earlier. But our award as a cricket academy is subject to us improving facilities.

"We appreciate and sympathise with our neighbours but St Lawrence has been a cricket ground since the middle of the 19th century and has won awards for its appearance."

The club says the additional height of the nets is needed for spin bowlers and they would be a heavy financial burden to move them.

But committee chairman, Cllr Nick Eden-Green (Lib Dem) said the fact that the club had academy status was not a planning issue.

"The issue is, would we have granted permission first time out? I have to say I am sad they did not keep their promise to take down the nets over the winter."

Cllr Marion Attwood (Con) said: "I love cricket but I can't vote for the nets as they are. They look appalling."

Cllr Jenny Samper (Con) added: "Why do we keep getting these retrospective applications. It really is to the club's disadvantage that they have not done what they promised."

The committee rejected the application and issued an enforcement notice for their removal.