A GOVERNMENT agency has been accused of threatening to "destroy" Queenborough and Rushenden if it gets the go-ahead to build up to 2,000 new homes in the area.

The South East England Development Agency's (SEEDA) masterplan for the communities has been attacked by Gordon Henderson, the Island's Conservative Parliamentary spokesman.

He said the 2,000 homes being suggested by SEEDA is too much and too many of them will be flats, which Queenborough and Rushenden don't need.

And Swale Borough Council has admitted it has "concerns" over the housing proposals.

Mr Henderson said he supports SEEDA's plans for the £12m Rushenden Link Road.

But he has condemned the scale of housing development in the regeneration proposals and is calling on Swale Council to reject SEEDA's masterplan.

"If it is allowed to proceed it will not regenerate our town, it will destroy it," he claimed.

He said the inclusion of such a large number of one-bedroom flats "will change the character of the area beyond all recognition."

Cllr Martin Goodhew (Con, Q'boro and Halfway), also expressed reservations.

"When I saw the draft masterplan I was shocked by the number of dwellings. I welcome regeneration and investment but there has to be a balance."

Swale Council Leader Andrew Bowles said: "We have concerns about the current proposals.

"We are meeting with SEEDA to ensure that the final masterplan that will be presented to the public contains an attractive range of homes of all types."

In a statement, SEEDA said: "The plan includes up to 2,000 new homes, 180,000 sq metres of employment space, a new primary school, community facilities, open space and key infrastructure work.

"Formal consultation is expected at Easter, giving members of the public a further opportunity to give their views on the proposals."

SEEDA says 1,000 people from Queenborough and Rushenden took part in previous informal consultation sessions and it received more than 5,000 ideas about how the regeneration scheme could be brought forward.

"A regular newsletter has also been produced to keep residents informed of the scheme as it develops," added SEEDA.

PLANS for the first phase of SEEDA's regeneration proposals have now been submitted to Swale Council.

An outline application to redevelop land at Neatscourt, south of the A249, was lodged with council planners last month.

The application includes multi-national supermarket chain Aldi's plans to build a regional headquarters and distribution centre.

SEEDA said this will bring a major employment boost to the area, with 200 new jobs being created.

The plans also seek the go-ahead for commercial development that will include offices, industrial and warehousing, a petrol filling station, restaurant and hotel.

A planning application for the Rushenden Link Road has already been submitted. SEEDA hopes permission for the road will be granted this spring, with construction due to start in the summer.

The masterplan also includes proposals for a new marina and primary school.