Campaigners have defeated plans for an asbestos transfer station in Lordswood.

The scheme was voted down by all but one member of Medway Council’s planning committee last night.

Medway firm Asbestos First insisted the site, which would have accepted up to 70 tonnes a week of waste asbestos, would benefit the community because there were so few places to dispose of the cancer-causing building material.

The material would have been double-bagged and stored in locked skips at the former gritting depot in North Dane Way, Lordswood, before being moved to larger tips elsewhere.

Officers had earmarked the plan for approval, but were inundated with 338 letters, 454 postcards and six petitions opposing it.

Lordswood and Capstone ward councillor Alan Jarrett (Con) said: “If people arrived when the transfer station was closed or they were turned away, would they dump or litter asbestos around the countryside?

“That’s not a suitable site for that sort of material.

“It needs to be on an industrial site, not in the countryside and very close to a large residential area.”

Jane Marsh, from the Lordswood Against Asbestos action group, said: “We are over the moon, although not resting on our laurels as we are sure Asbestos First will take it to an appeal.”