DEVELOPERS could be given the chance to build thousands more homes across the county under controversial proposals being put forward by regional planners.

The plans, published for the first time this week, could see as many as 6,000 more homes built each year in the South East, outstripping the Government’s own targets by as much as 20 per cent.

The blueprint for development has been drawn up by planners for the South East England Regional Assembly, SEERA.

But Kent County Council’s Conservative leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart swiftly denounced it as “absolutely crazy” and vowed to stop it in its tracks.

The plan, which would take effect in 2006 and last until 2026, is significant because under Government reforms the regional assembly, an unelected 111-strong body, will have the job of shaping housing strategy and setting house-building targets from 2006.

The draft of SEERA’s strategy, which is due to be discussed on Monday outlines options for between 32,000 and 36,000 homes to be built each year in the South East from 2006 to 2026.

That is significantly above the Government’s own existing guidance that the region should have 29,500 homes a year. If the higher figure of 36,000 is accepted, it would mean an additional 130,000 homes for the South East over the lifetime of the plan.

Ashford and east Kent are identified as areas that, according to SEERA, could accommodate more house-building.

According to a report due to be debated on Monday, they are among areas that should be designated for additional growth because they are “priority areas” for regeneration and experience “high levels of social deprivation and economic stress.”

But Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said he was shocked. He said: “It is completely unacceptable and we will oppose it. To suggest that Ashford and east Kent need even more houses is, quite frankly, absolutely crazy.

“What we need are national and regional policies that support the economy of east Kent and improve investment opportunities, not more homes.

“The growth rate in Ashford is already too high. Development needs to be held back because of the shortage of facilities and the lack of a proper infrastructure. We already have a substantial land bank available for development.”

Ashford council leader Paul Clokie, who is a member of SEERA’s planning committee, said Ashford would not be accept any more growth above existing targets.

He said: “It may mean other parts of east Kent may have to take more but we will not be volunteering for any more growth.”

Other parts of the county could also come under extra pressure. The plans could lead to significant overspill from the Thames Gateway – that under SEERA’s plan could end up with 20,000 more homes - into parts of west Kent.

KCC Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Trudy Dean warned: “The assembly’s projections are for up to 77,000 homes in the Thames Gateway. That is an additional 20,000 houses – the problem is they may not get built there.

“The Thames Gateway’s zone of influence stretches from Swanley, through to Malling and the whole of the urban area of Maidstone.”

A full meeting of the 111-strong assembly is scheduled to take place at the end of the month to decide what targets should be adopted.