By Hayley Robinson

A decision to refuse a retrospective planning application for a gipsy site in Upchurch has been deferred.

Residents who objected to the private site in Oak Lane becoming a permanent feature thought they had won the battle when members of the planning committee went against the planning officer's recommendation and refused the application.

But just moments later it was announced the item would be deferred until the next planning meeting to allow officers time to prepare a report for members about the implications of their decision.

The site was granted temporary planning permission following a public inquiry in 2006 but that expired on March 27 last year.

In a letter to Swale council Upchurch Parish Council said the village already has more than eight sites and approval would create a precedent.

Cllr John Wright (Con, Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch) also wrote a letter saying it is an inappropriate site that impacts on countryside and the small rural community and that the site should be moved and the land returned to agriculture.

A spokesman for the council said: "The head of planning services has delegated powers under the council's constitution to defer an item at any planning meeting where he believes that the councillors on the planning committee need further advice on the prospects of any of their decisions being challenged on appeal, and subsequently an application for costs."