GRAVESHAM Council’s plans to build nearly 5,000 new homes have been backed by Kent County Council.

The Local Development Framework (LDF) includes a target of at least 4,600 new homes built by 2028.

The Council also plans to safeguard the green belt by building predominantly in urban areas.

A mix of 70 per cent affordable rented and social rented accommodation and 30 per cent intermediate housing is proposed.

KCC member for Gravesham Rural and cabinet member for the environment, councillor Bryan Sweetland, said: "I welcome the common sense approach that Gravesham Borough Council have now taken in drawing up their 20-year plan.

"The revised LDF now gives protection to Gravesham's green belt from unwanted and inappropriate development and is a vast improvement from the council’s original proposals last year."

"I also support Gravesham's general approach to affordable housing, again providing it is not on green belt land.

"We have a duty to protect the green belt for future generations and I hope this plan now balances the need for additional housing while protecting our precious countryside."

The eight-week public consultation on the LDF finishes tomorrow (February 12).

Have your say by e-mailing planning.policy@gravesham.gov.uk, writing to Planning Policy, Gravesham Borough Council, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1AU, or visiting localplan.gravesham.gov.uk/consult.ti/Regulation19/consultationHome