Those looking forward to visiting a boutique hotel at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone will have to wait.

Maidstone council, which owns the site, is looking for a new use for the 12th century building that was once used to house the Peasants' Revolt preacher John Ball.

At the start of the year, the council invited expressions of interest from private firms – though few came forward.

In March, the council signed an exclusivity deal with entrepreneur Richard Balfour-Lynn, who owns the Balfour Winery at the Hush Heath Estate in Staplehurst.

The deal gave Mr Balfour-Lynn six months to bring forward firm proposals to turn the listed building into a boutique hotel.

But last week, the council's executive heard that six months had not been sufficient time to investigate the complex archaeological and planning consent issues involved in the conversion.

They voted to extend the exclusivity deal for a further six months, after which they would review the progress.

Initially, the entrepreneur has promised a hotel, restaurants and bars, and a state-of-the-art wedding and conference facilities.

He also said there would be a wine and viticultural education centre, with a key focus on English wine and spirits.