A huge 12,000-home development is being put forward for former farmland near Folkestone Racecourse, KentOnline can exclusively reveal.

The plans are part of a Shepway council initiative to apply to the government for a 'garden town' masterplan - potentially home to nearly 29,000 people.

It is understood the council is working in partnership with Folkestone Racecourse owners Arena Racing Company.

The company confirmed it is in "early stage" discussions over "several options" with Shepway District Council but did not comment on its plans for the site.

But race fixtures are not expected to be coming back to the Westenhanger track as part of the redevelopment.

The massive development which could be twice the size of nearby Hythe will be phased over the next 30 years, Shepway council leader David Monk said.

Otterpool Park is proposed for land around the villages of Westenhanger, Sellindge and Lympne.

Shepway council bought 357 acres of farmland for £5.2m before Christmas saying it was a long-term strategic investment and has been renting the land for agricultural use in recent weeks.

The new proposals have now been revealed as incorporating the land around and including Folkestone Racecourse - which closed to racing in 2012.

But the council is now set to launch an application to the government for 'garden town' status for the site as "an expression of interest".

Cllr Monk added the plans would allow the council to ensure high quality design while providing for the next generation.

He described it as an "unmissable opportunity" that will "deliver the homes and jobs we need in a great setting that's already well connected".

He said: "It would be difficult to find an area for development with more potential; it already has a motorway and other roads.

"There’s a train station – high speed trains are bringing new life to this area, just as the trains did for Folkestone all those years ago. Then there’s easy access to the rest of Europe via Eurotunnel."

The concept of the garden town incorporates its own businesses, schools and parks.

Plans for Otterpool Park could see seven primary schools, three secondary schools and three doctors' surgeries by the time the full 12,000 homes would be built.

Susannah Gill, from Arena Racing Company, said: "Several options continue to be discussed with Shepway District Council on behalf of the racecourse owners.

"These discussions are at an early stage and we will make an announcement if and when there is anything further to say in due course."

The council has been working on the plans since George Osborne revealed in February's budget he was looking for expressions of interest for new garden developments.

An application is now being prepared for the government to consider.

It will be submitted if the plans outlined today are approved by the council's cabinet next month.

Cabinet members approved a resolution earlier this year for council officers to begin preparing the application.

Cllr Monk added: “Large developments like this allow us to plan in the things that will support the garden town’s success. There will be opportunities for local people to get involved in this process by telling us what they think these things are.

“The setting will be stunning; the homes will be well designed, they’ll be lots of open space, and the nearby countryside will be easily accessible."

Ebbsfleet Garden City, which will have 15,000 homes, was announced by Mr Osborne in 2014.

Work has started on the first stages of the development in the north Kent area around the Swanscombe peninsula.

Garden towns and villages have grown out of the "garden city movement" initiated by planner Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1898.

The movement incorporates ideals to see communities become self-sufficient by providing a mixture of housing, industry, leisure and agriculture surrounded by greenbelt land.