by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Emotions ran high last night at a meeting to discuss plans to build on Gravesham's greenbelt and greenfield sites.

More than 700 people turned out to the Gravesham rural forum at Istead Rise Community Centre.

It was an animated meeting with many expressing their fears if the building plans go ahead.

Wendy Lane, Gravesham council's principal planning officer, told the crowd that building on greenbelt land was necessary because developers could not build on brownfield sites quickly enough to meet five-year targets.

Cllr Lee Croxton (Lab), planning delivery portfolio holder for the council, was heckled as he told those at the meeting that his hands "were tied behind his back" and that he "did not want to be in this position - no one does."

Issues raised included the lack of school places if there was an influx of families and longer waits for GP appointments. Others talked about Wrotham Road, Meopham, collapsing twice in the past year to highlight the lack of infrastructure to support development.

The council is looking at building hundreds of houses on greenbelt and greenfield sites.