Defiant travellers are trying to overturn a council’s ruling to dismantle a large chunk of a camp in Canterbury - but nearby residents hope the bid fails.

Moate Farm in Fordwich illegally tripled in size when 37 motorhomes were pitched up without planning permission.

Owners of the Stodmarsh Road site applied for retrospective permission, but the bid was refused by the city council amid a number of concerns.

The applicants then lodged an appeal late last year and an inquiry is set to be held by the Planning Inspectorate.

The council has powers to remove the illegally-pitched caravans, and bosses previously stressed they would “not hesitate” to take action.

But due to the appeal process, such action has been stalled.

Council spokesman Rob Davies said: “The terms of the enforcement notice will now be considered at an inquiry to be held by the Planning Inspectorate. Documents have been submitted by both sides and we are awaiting a start date.

“In the meantime, the situation on the site remains the same and, to date, no caravans have been removed.”

A statement from the Delaney family argues that the site “contributes a much-needed temporary form of accommodation for the travelling community”.

It also stresses how the camp “enables the gypsy/traveller way of life” and argues that it has no adverse impact on highway safety around Stodmarsh Road.

Neighbours have also written ‘third party’ comments to be taken into account during the appeal process.

One disgruntled resident wrote: “This area was a quiet piece of countryside on the outskirts of Fordwich. Due to its illegal use and non-compliance of planning legislation, we now have a heavily populated caravan site, poor power supplies, disruption by traffic and movement of mobile homes.”

City council Labour leader Dave Wilson added: “There is inadequate waste and sewage and other infrastructure, not least power and telecommunications, because the site has expanded without permission.”

When originally refusing permission for the 37 caravans, the city council listed a number of reasons - including a lack of evidence the occupants led a nomadic way of life.

The impact on the surrounding area was deemed to be detrimental, with the refusal notice describing the expansion as “incongruous” and “cramped”.

A start date for the appeal inquiry is not yet known.