An eight-week consultation allowing residents to have their say on the future of development in the borough is to begin next week.

More than 48,000 copies of a booklet explaining the local plan process will be sent to properties in and around Gravesham on Monday ahead of the consultation starting on Wednesday.

The local plan acts as a blue print for development over the next decade, allocating land for uses such as housing, leisure and retail.

It is needed in order to guide growth in a way which is sensitive to the area without central government taking over.

The current plan, dating back to 2014, calculates Gravesham's housing need as 6,170 homes but recently the government upped that figure to 8,000.

As a result the borough needs to find space for 2,000 more homes and as previously reported, with brownfield sites dwindling, Green Belt land will have to be considered.

“With no local plan, the Green Belt could lose virtually all protection it has, allowing the local planning process to be side-stepped." — Council leader David Turner

Council leader, Cllr David Turner, said: “Residents and businesses' views are really important to us. We must produce a local plan or government inspectors could remove our ability to consider applications and make decisions on our behalf.

“With no local plan, the Green Belt could lose virtually all protection it has, allowing the local planning process to be side-stepped. Ideally, we would avoid building on Green Belt land. However, as part of this process, the council must look at all possible sites and rule them in or out.

“We are looking at areas where more homes could feasibly be built and asking residents and businesses for their views. We are starting from the principle of brownfield land and other sites within the urban confines first, but may need to seek additional land to meet our needs.

“When this consultation is complete the council will draw up more detailed options and everyone will get the chance to comment again on those next year.”

The council will look closely at rural areas and what development, if any, is desirable.

Issues such as whether small sites for homes on the outskirts or edges of villages could help meet housing needs for local people and whether older people downsizing would free up houses for families which otherwise might need to leave the area.

The prospect of merging or joining-up small settlements as well as creating a new, freestanding settlement.

The consultation, which runs until Wednesday, June 20, can also be found at www.gravesham.gov.uk/yoursay and

further copies of the document will be available from the Civic Centre in Gravesend.

Drop-in sessions will run on:

Tuesday, May 1, from 2pm to 8pm at the Eastgate Centre, in Springhead Parkway, Northfleet.

Thursday, May 3, from 2pm to 8pm at The Blake Gallery, in the Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend.

Saturday, May 5, from 10am to 4pm at Culverstone Community Hall, in Whitepost Lane, Culverstone Green.

Thursday, May 10, from 2pm to 8pm at Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, in Higham.

Tuesday, May 15, from 2pm to 8pm at Chinnery Court, Wrotham Road, Meopham.

Thursday, May 17, from 2pm to 8pm at the Memorial Hall, in Lewis Road, Istead Rise.