Plans to establish a traveller site on protected land off the Old Thanet Way have been refused.

The application for four mobile homes and four touring caravans west of Greenhill Road was submitted to Canterbury City Council in January.

The two-hectare site lies in the corridor of protected land that stretches from Whitstable to Herne Bay along the A2990.

City council officers decided to refuse the proposals because, among other reasons, the applicant did not provide an “overriding justification” of the loss of the open space “that would outweigh the harm caused”.

It also noted evidence demonstrating “that occupants of the site have a nomadic way of life” falling within the “prescribed definition of a Gypsy/Traveller” had not been provided.

In addition, fears were expressed about it potentially having a “detrimental impact” on highway safety.

The planning application’s covering letter, which was penned by Brian Woods of WS Planning and Architecture, stated it “is seeking planning permission for a Gypsy/Traveller site to help meet the general need for pitches as required” by the council.

West Bay councillor Geoff Wimble said: “There’s no need for a traveller site there – there are plenty of other places around the district.

“They can’t make a development of it anyway because it falls within the green buffer zone.

“I’d love to pick a field where there’s a lovely view and woods and bung a house right in the middle of it – but it doesn’t quite work like that.”

Mr Woods declined to comment.