Protesters have won their battle to stop a quarry being used for a commercial development.

Councillors went against the advice of planning officers and rejected the proposal to create 6,000 square metres of floorspace at the site in Commissioners Road, Strood.

Residents said they felt a sense of relief after the majority of the planning committee voted to refuse permission. In total 13 voted against, while two abstained.

Sabra Parrott, deputy chairman of the BCS Residents’ Association (Banks Road, Commissioners Road and Station Road), cried after hearing the news.

The 71-year-old, who has lived in Commissioners Road for 43 years with her husband Barry, 70, said: “We are over the moon. We have been fighting this for over a year.

“Most people would lose heart after that time, but we haven’t.

“We have kept going and kept the momentum going.

“It is such a relief knowing that it is going to be safe for a little while longer.”

A spokesman for Frindsbury and Wainscott Community Association added: “We weren’t expecting as much support as we got from councillors. We knew some would object, but as they were discussing it you could see it swinging in our favour.”

But the battle is not over as residents wait to hear whether DHA Planning, which is acting on behalf of businessman Colin Smith, will appeal and go to a public inquiry.

“We have won the battle, but we don’t know whether we can win the war.”

The site borders a conservation area and opponents claimed it would infringe the Saxon Shore public right of way; contravene the local plan and represents an extension of the Medway City Estate by stealth.

Residents rallied together and started two petitions containing more than 150 signatures, which were lodged with Medway Council’s planning department, together with 225 letters of objection.

They also staged a demonstration last weekend when more than 50 people turned out to protest during a site visit by councillors.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and Kent Wildlife Trust also objected to the proposal.

The developers said after the meeting that they did not wish to comment.