The former butchers in Brabourne Lees will not be knocked down to make way for housing.

A planning application has been rejected on appeal.

The inspector ruled that the four houses proposed “could not be satisfactorily accommodated on the site without causing significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.”

Ashford borough councillors rejected the initial application from developers to demolish Clarke’s Butchers, which closed just over a year ago due to falling trade.

David Harmston, the inspector for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government ruled the development could not go ahead.

He said: "There is no cogent evidence available to demonstrate that the premises are no longer capable of being operated as a viable retail enterprise.”

Cllr Richard Honey (Con), who represents villagers in Brabourne Lees, said: “Strenuous efforts should be made to find someone else to take it on the shop before it is redeveloped - but that has not yet been done.

“And the scheme proposed was an entirely inappropriate over-development of the site which would be harmful to the character and appearance of the village and to neighbouring amenity."