Maidstone Borough Council has recommended that a controversial development next to Headcorn Primary School should go ahead.

At a meeting at the town hall last night, planning officers advised councillors that there were no grounds for opposing the scheme for 220 homes, dubbed Hazelpits, despite being outside the boundary currently considered for settlements in the borough.

But the final say is in the hands of a government planning inspector after a delay in determining the application by the council.

The authority does, however, need to indicate whether it would have granted permission.

If it had rejected the plans it would have had to defend its reasons.

A bus load of dozens of protesters came from Headcorn to oppose the plans.

Following the meeting, the group slammed the council's "extraordinary" decision, which they said disregarded the feelings of the community.

A statement on Save Headcorn Village's website said: "The group is reeling with shock.

"Having witnessed the council's cabinet and scrutiny committee accept that Headcorn should take no more housing without infrastructure improvements questions remain as to why the community's welfare should be ignored by those employed to serve it."

Meetings will take place in the village on Monday to consider the protestors' next steps.