An appeal or fresh application from Lidl to open a store off the Old Thanet Way is likely, as the firm hopes to revive plans to build on the site.

Canterbury City Council’s planning committee narrowly rejected its bid to build on the land near Greenhill in March.

Seven councillors voted to refuse permission, while six were in favour.

Despite the result, Lidl still wants to build a store there.

A spokesman for the chain said: “We remain committed to opening a new store in Herne Bay and look forward to sharing an update on our proposals with locals in the very near future.”

Before the committee meeting, planning officers recommended the application be rejected because the land is “protected open space,” providing a “natural green buffer” between the dual-carriageway and nearby homes.

They concluded there was no obvious need for the development that would outweigh the “material harm” it would cause to the area.

West Bay councillor Geoff Wimble, who voted against the plans, said: “The site needs to be preserved and the plans are contrary to the government’s planning directorate.

“It’s in a dangerous position on the Thanet Way and the wildlife – like the newts, bats and toads – needs protecting.”

“Lidl can try as much as it likes, it won’t get it on the buffer zone.”

The chain had wanted to build a new 2,124 sq metre store with 125 parking spaces.

The application received a groundswell of local support, with Lidl claiming more than 84% of the 2,382 responses to its public consultation were in favour of the scheme.

Cllr Andrew Cook believes it would benefit the area.

He said: “Greenhill’s got about 1,500 homes to be built, so why would we want people going into town when they could access a store closer to home?

“All the Herne Bay councillors were in favour of the store apart from Mr Wimble, whose vote against it was the one that stopped it going through.”