A retreat by the government on house-building targets has been given a cautious welcome by council leaders and Kent MPs.

Ministers have indicated a climbdown over its controversial target for 300,000 homes to be built each year.

The government had faced a backlash from a growing number of backbenchers, including several from Kent.

Earlier this year, KentOnline revealed how five Kent councils were facing government sanctions after not enough homes were built in their districts over the past three years.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities now says targets "remain an important part of the planning system" but ministers would now "consult on how these can better take account of local density".

Among other changes being proposed are for the target to be a "starting point" and become "advisory".

Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove said in a letter he recognises “there is no truly objective way of calculating how many new homes are needed in an area” but that the “plan-making process for housing has to start with a number”.

The change would make the centrally determined target a “starting point”. Councils will be able to propose building fewer homes if they face “genuine constraints” or would have to build at a density that would “significantly change the character” of their area.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, who was one of the MPs behind the campaign for changes, said: “Many local authorities like Swale are forced into making targets that are unachievable.

"In the last 10 years, developers have not managed to build 760 per year so what is the point of pushing it up to 1,000?

“Local authorities who have historically built and accepted lots of housing shouldn’t be penalised or forced to take into more houses just because they have had a lot in the past.”

But he acknowledged that there was a demand for more affordable housing.

“We do need more housing - but we need those in the right places," the Conservative added.

Fellow Tory campaigner, Ashford MP Damian Green, said: "This is very welcome news for everyone who cares about Kent's countryside.

"Taking more decisions at a local level means we will get the right houses in the right places."

The Conservative leader of Tonbridge and Malling council cautiously welcomed the news - but said he wanted more detail.

Cllr Matt Boughton said he was encouraged by the announcement but there needed to be clarity over what was considered as advisory in relation to planning inspectors.

“What happens if you don't like what you are being given by planning inspectors? That is the kind of clarity I’ll be seeking but it is very encouraging.”

In the case of Tonbridge and Malling, it could benefit if the legislative changes were made early next year. This would allow the authority to draw up a list of sites allocated for housing, knowing what the guidance was.

“This could be really good timing for us," Cllr Boughton added.

"If the legislation says ‘you don’t have to meet the government’s targets’ and you can set a cap, then that completely changes the nature of our plan.”