More than 1,000 protests have put paid to plans for an asbestos depot - for now.

The scheme for the former highways depot in North Dane Way, Lordswood, has been temporarily withdrawn.

Despite the Environment Agency making no objection, councillors, an MP and more than 1,000 residents signed a petition against the scheme by Medway firm Asbestos First.

It would have allowed asbestos removal firms to pay Asbestos First to bring up to 70 tonnes a week of waste into the site, stored double-bagged in locked skips before being moved to larger tips elsewhere.

The firm’s owner Debbie Hales said she had withdrawn the plans because there had not been time to hold a full public meeting, but planned to lodge them again.

If the scheme is re-submitted, residents will have to lodge their objections all over again.

Farley Close resident Yvonne Maund, who helped lead the campaign, said: “It’s absolutely great but if I have got to do it again, I will do it again.

“There’s people been phoning me up and asking how it’s been going. When we brought the petition into Lordswood Leisure Centre we got a standing ovation.”

Chatham MP Tracey Crouch said: “It’s a good thing that they’ve withdrawn it when they haven’t had a proper public engagement with the residents.

“My position is that having an asbestos disposal site in the middle of a residential area is not a good idea.”