DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has kick-started a controversial homes-and-jobs scheme that could transform two villages.

His decision to unveil Kent Science Park as the new name for Sittingbourne Research Centre is part of his drive to encourage "sustainable" communities in the Thames Gateway.

Mr Prescott made the announcement at the high-powered MIPIM property show in Cannes. But the renaming could trigger massive change for Bapchild and Rodmersham, villages close to the park and proposed new roads.

Bosses say KSP could attract a further 1,000 high-tech jobs over the next few years, and a cash injection of more than £20m.

They want to double the size of the site by expanding business premises and laboratories and giving the go-ahead to up to a thousand homes.

The growth plan includes a new £10m road link with the M2 and a southern relief ring road costing around £30m from the M2 to Bapchild, running north of Rodmersham.

This could lead to the creation of a new village community north of Rodmersham and the growth of Bapchild.

Mr Prescott said KSP was an exciting project that brought together homes and jobs. Industry, science and education made a sustainable community.

"Before, we've only built housing. You need to bring those scientific and educational institutions to give it a sustainable edge -- without it, it's just housing."

He said it would be easier for people to get to work. "In the past, we've said industry should be in one place, housing in another -- they need to be brought together."

But his Labour colleague Derek Wyatt, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheerness, is concerned about the implications for villagers, including himself.

In a letter to constituents, he said: "As I live in Rodmersham, I must guard against being accused of "nimby-ism" whilst still balancing the needs of the wider community. I think we need to reflect long and hard about the implications of these plans."

Residents had to decide if they welcomed the growth of KSP, whether they wanted extra jobs and whether these would go to local people. They should also consider if they wanted housing at KSP.

They would also want to know what plans, if any, there were for schools and colleges on the site. As for the proposed roads, it was important to learn whether the Highways Agency had approved the new exit, and whether it depended on houses going up on the site.

Meetings are to be held on March 24 at Central Park Stadium and the following day in Rodmersham Village Hall at which Mr Wyatt will be present.

He added: "I would be happy to meet streets, groups or parish councils with concerns."

Andrew Bull, of KSP advisers LaSalle Investment Management, presented Mr Prescott with a commemorative microscope to mark the change of name. He said the renaming was a visible landmark.

"From this point forward, we have changed the aspirations of KSP. It's symbolic of a lot of things we are doing. It will put Sittingbourne on the map as a place for science and cutting edge research. It's very exciting for Sittingbourne."