The number of planned new homes in Kent is to drop after the government scrapped housebuilding targets for councils.

Under the previous Labour government's South East Plan annual targets were set for local authorities in a bid to meet the overall aim for the region of 654,000 homes by 2026.

But the coalition government has sinced dropped the strategy - aimed at dealing with the growing demand for housing - arguing that councils should come up with their own plans.

It has now emerged this has led to Kent's planning housebuilding targets to drop.

The largest reduction has been made by Gravesham Borough Council, whose original housebuilding target was set at 9,300 homes between 2006 and 2026. According to a spokesman, this was 4,000 homes in excess of their capability and now figures have been reduced to 4,600 homes between 2011 and 2028.

Swale Borough Council has also revised its figures. It will now build 20 fewer homes per year by 2031.

Four other Kent councils have also said they are currently considering lower targets than the ones set for them under the South East Plan (SEP).

Toby Lloyd, from homelessness charity Shelter, said: "There's a desperate shortage of affordable housing in Kent, so any plans to scale back the number of homes they plan to deliver is a serious concern.

"There are almost 35,000 people on the council house waiting list in Kent alone and in the last year 1,730 new affordable homes were built, so there is a huge backlog of need and this affecting people of all walks of life.

"Under the new planning system just announced the onus is on local authorities to come up with their own local plans. It is now up to them to make sure they come with credible plans for how much housing they need."

The only Kent council with plans to increase the original target set by SEP is Shepway District Council. It is proposing to deliver 1,200 more homes by 2026, an increase of 60 per year.