Councillors remain officially undecided over a controversial scheme to redevelop Rochester Airport at a cost of £4.4m to the taxpayer.

Last year Medway council adopted a plan for the airport, which it owns, despite more than 700 objections citing noise, safety and the effect on house prices.

But at a meeting on Wednesday the council's planning committee chose to ignore (for now) a recommendation to approve the scheme, and instead delayed the decision until after a site visit.

The planning application outlines proposals including a lit, paved runway, with parallel grass runway, formation of a grassed bund, re-siting of helipads, two hangars, a hub building with control tower, car parks, fuel tank enclosure, family viewing area and a memorial garden, plus demolition and removal of existing structures.

Planning committee papers recommend approval subject to a number of conditions, but also outline a long list of objections.

Among them are fears that an increasing number of flights will cause noise disturbance, increase the risk of accidents, and result in a loss of privacy for residents and the 17 schools within a one mile radius.

Other objectors say the proposed loss of trees is not justified and fear that the airport’s expansion will “increase its chances of being used by criminals involved in the illegal trafficking for drugs, goods and firearms.”

A recurring objection is that the airport should not be funded by the taxpayer.

But the papers record that many more have shown support, saying night-flying does not occur at the airport, that fears over noise have been exaggerated, and that the airport will bring economic benefits.

The council argues it will provide a “strategic gateway to Medway and an economic hub”, creating up to 1,000 jobs.

A date for the site visit has not yet been decided.