RESIDENTS are still waiting to hear if their battle to stop a massive fruit packing plant from being built on their doorstep has ended in a complete victory.

Maidstone council rejected plans at a planning meeting last month to expand Winterwood Farm on the outskirts of Sutton Valence.

Its owner, Stephen Taylor, has yet to decide if he is to appeal the decision and continue at current levels of operation, or move his business elsewhere.

Earlier this year Mr Taylor claimed he would be forced to close if the proposals, needed to meet new European standards, failed to get the nod.

Mr Taylor is currently away but a farm employee confirmed all options were being considered.

Residents of Chartway Street are largely opposed to the expansion plans. They claim the farm has already outgrown its rural location and say lorries already visiting the site are causing dangers and damage.

Winterwood Farm has grown over the past decade into a successful business importing fruit from across Europe and further afield for sale at Kent's supermarkets. But neighbours claim the success has come at a price for them.