Temporary planning permission has been refused for a travellers’ site to remain in Upchurch.

The proposal for Greenacres, Holywell Lane, Upchurch, was for the retention of two mobile homes, a day room, utility room and four touring caravans at the site for another three years.

Officers recommended approval but Swale council’s planning committee members turned it down when they met at Swale House last Thursday due to the impact it would have on the countryside character and rural amenity.

Prior to the decision, Cllr Mike Baldock (Ukip) raised concerns about the authority not having a firm policy on providing gypsy and traveller sites in the borough.

He said: “We’re not identifying land for sites and we’re not even able to progress our policy of shoving them on new building sites, so what we have is no policy.

“We’re running headless and this is not fair on the traveller community.

“We have a policy for new sites which is being challenged in court and we’re doing nothing in the meantime that would identify sites that would take away the over concentration and accumulative build up in this one particular area.

“We seem to be failing both the travellers and the settled communities on all levels.” Cllr Peter Marchington (Con) agreed with his comments.

“Where does the genuine traveller coming into the area apply to find out which sites he can go to?” he said.

Fears were also voiced the plans could still get the go ahead if it goes to appeal at a later date. Cllr Mike Henderson (Ind) said: “Our gypsy and traveller policy is in a mess.

“It could be argued it’s non-existent and that does mean, without doubt, bearing in mind this is temporary permission being sought, if this goes to appeal, we will lose as a racing certainty even if we take the advice of officers.

I see absolutely no point in turning this down, spending all our officers’ time going to appeal, losing that appeal and our policy will be no further forward.”

Cllr Baldock added: “The assumption we will lose this is erroneous, and in three or four months we may well have some sort of policy in place and we may be able to say we’re starting to identifying sites.

"So let’s stop this fear that we will be turned down and create a policy that will stand up in court.”