HOSTILITIES are expected to be resumed between Paddock Wood Athletic Club and opponents of a proposed new running track at Putlands, following a decision by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to grant the club an extension of its planning application.

The club has been trying for 15 years to build an all-weather track but difficulties in raising sufficient funding have delayed the development, forcing it to scale back its plans and abandon the installation of floodlights.

However, it is still committed to erecting a fence around the track and this has upset many locals, who argue that land currently open to the public will be inaccessible.

Tempers flared at a town council meeting in June when councillors passed a motion giving the club a further three years to raise the money it needs.

It is still £74,000 short of its £249,000 target.

However, the motion giving it more time has now been approved by the borough council, though the extension is the last chance for the athletics club to raise the extra money.

Jim Kehoe, head of planning services, said the development had to begin before the three years expired.

But he has given it his backing, despite active lobbying from locals opposed to the club's plans.

"The development is considered to be an appropriate alternative use of this area of public open space," he said.