Plans to build 82 homes in a village have been refused.

Members of Maidstone council's planning committee met last night and voted against the proposal for Lenham put forward by Jones Homes.

The developer hoped to construct the cluster of properties on land off A20 Ham Lane, 50 metres from the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the North Downs Special Landscape Area.

But, despite a recommendation for approval, councillors felt the layout and design of the application would cause significant harm to the countryside.

More than 20 members of the Save Lenham group were due to travel to last night's meeting at Maidstone Town Hall to protest.