Spain's parliament has overwhelmingly rejected a petition by the powerful north-eastern Catalonia region to allow an independence referendum.

The request was voted down 299-47 with one abstention after nearly seven hours of debate on Tuesday night.

Catalonia’s pro-independence sentiment has exploded recently amid objections over how the region is treated by the central government.

But conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insisted that it simply wasn’t constitutionally possible to grant permission for a vote.

Catalonia regional President Artur Mas, who did not attend the parliamentary session, insists that the poll will be held regardless. It remains to be seen if it can, or whether Spain will prevent it being held.