MEDWAY councillors have refused to approve plans to demolish a social club to make way for four blocks of new flats and houses.

The decision was reached after an application was submitted by Keystyle Ltd to Medway Council's planning department for the construction of blocks of flats and townhouses on land on the corner of Featherby Road and Beechings Way.

The site is currently home to the Featherby Sports and Social Club but the building is in poor condition.

Councillors turned down the plans because they were concerned about parking facilities on the proposed development. Most of them agreed the site and surrounding area would not be able to cope with the extra amount of cars needing to park at the site.

Ward councillor Glyn Griffiths (Lab) raised his concerns about parking at the meeting in the Municipal Buildings in Gillingham.

He said: "I support the idea of a housing development on the site, but I'm worried about the parking situation."

Other councillors agreed plans for 11 of the flats to have their own garages with a further 18 car parking spaces in the courtyard were not feasible. Cllr Richard Wozencroft (Con) said: "People will park their cars on the corner of the road and there will be an overflow of traffic."

Chairman of the area development control east committee Cllr Diane Chambers said: "Schools in the area are already overcrowded." More than 65 residents had signed a petition objecting to the application.