The plug has been pulled on a music venue’s plan to become a permanent fixture.

Maidstone councillors refused a proposal put forward by The Bowerhouse, in Warwick Place, to change the building’s use from a business to a leisure facility.

Lucy Farrell, 29, and her parents Sandy, 62, and May, 57, opened the business off Tonbridge Road around two years ago to host art exhibitions, intimate concerts and classes such as life drawing lessons.

They had been using temporary event licences, but wanted to secure their venture’s future with full planning permission.

The family was dealt a blow last week when their request was turned down on the grounds the residential area was not suitable.

Homeowners had raised objections, including noise, more traffic and loss of privacy.

Miss Farrell, a musician, said: “We are disappointed as people complain there’s not many cultural places in Maidstone which play live music or displays art and that’s all we were trying to do. We only have acoustic gigs and my dad is always checking the noise levels when we do have events as he doesn’t want to upset the neighbours.”

The mother-of-one lives next door to the converted barn and her parents live close by. Her mother is head of art at St Simon Stock in Oakwood Park.

Mr Farrell, who retired from teaching two years ago, used his pension to put a deposit on the property.

He said: “Anyone who has visited The Bowerhouse will verify what a special place it is both for art and music.

“The council is applying a policy and I understand that but I think we have established a precious haven for music, art and good company in Maidstone, just a walk from the centre of town and surely there is a way that this unobtrusive gem of a venue can continue.”

The family intends to use their last temporary permit for the Fringe Festival in May but will then explore the possibility of an appeal or other ways to welcome performers.