There are fears the proposed planning reforms set out by Greg Clark (below) could be devastating for the Kent countryside

by political editor Paul Francis

Council officials in planning minister Greg Clark's own borough have criticised his controversial shake-up of the planning system.

Planning officials from the Conservative-run Tunbridge Wells Council have raised a string of concerns about aspects of the National Planning Policy Framework, warning it might mean an extra 19,900 houses being built in the borough between now and 2026.

Around 70% of the borough is designated as being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The objections appear in a report by planning chiefs, discussed by the council's Conservative cabinet last night, which sets out the council's formal response to the government's consultation over the shake-up.

It recommends the council formally objects to the government's key proposal that there should be a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

It describes the move as concerning as "it does not appear to weigh constraints upon development equally in the balance with needs for it due to the emphasis on achieving growth."

The council also sets out objections to the proposed housing policies on the basis "they promote housing growth at the expense of any locally specific environmental considerations".

The report suggests there may have to be a huge increase in the number of new homes.

"This would suggest the borough’s housing target would need to increase by 19,900 (from 6,000 to 25,900) unless either Tonbridge and Malling or Sevenoaks could be persuaded to take the shortfall," it states.

The council has also flagged up misgivings about the plans to allow communities the right to build in the green belt, saying: "[However] the land is presumably designated as Green Belt because its openness is important and the council would have little power to intervene if it felt the community’s proposals would harm that openness."

Planners also recommend registering a formal objection to the "apparently greater weight the NPPF gives to economic considerations over environmental ones."

The reforms have proved deeply controversial, with environmental groups and countryside groups warning they risk a free for all for developers.

Planning Minister Greg Clark said: "We are taking all submissions to the consultation process very seriously.

"We are determined to work closely with councils and other groups to produce a final policy framework that makes absolutely clear the Government's intention to provide the homes and jobs that the next generation needs while protecting our priceless countryside.

"The biggest threat to the green belt in the Garden of England has been the housing targets and compulsory green belt reviews forced on councils by the last Government's Regional Plans.

"For example the South East Regional Plan says: "There may be a need for a small scale Green Belt review at Tunbridge Wells in accordance with Policy SP5.

"I have always campaigned against this imposition on local people. In future it will be local plans decided by the people of Tunbridge Wells that will determine what happens locally".