A plan to turn a popular fresh produce store and cafe into a family home has been refused.

The owners of Mockbeggar Farm Shop in Cliffe Woods wanted to convert it into a three-bedroom bungalow.

But Medway Council planners have turned down the application submitted by the Brice family whose nearby farm used to provide the strawberries for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Councillors felt the change of use would be "undesirable" because of the "reasonable prospect of the building being used to provide services".

Like similar businesses, it flourished in lockdown with some customers reluctant to shop in supermarkets because of social distancing guidelines.

The shop and adjoining tea room in Town Road has built up a reputation for its fresh local produce.

Among its fans is musician Jools Holland who lives at nearby Cooling Castle.

For years the farm shop was run by Georgette Jarvis who with husband Shane recently moved to Yorkshire after appearing on the TV show Escape to the Country.

It was believed to be opened by the farming family in the 1970s and has since been leased out by a series of managers.

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