KENT and the South East risks worsening traffic congestion and more pollution if its economic fortunes are tied to the Government’s "growth at all costs" approach to house-building.

A high-powered commission set up to examine how development in the region should be managed has placed a question mark against the Government’s demand for a massive increase in house-building over the next two decades.

Ashford and north Kent have both been earmarked by the Government as areas destined for intensive development up to 2021.

In a wide-ranging report, the Institute for Public Policy Research - IPPR - has concluded that a proper balance has to be struck between increasing prosperity and safe-guarding the environment.

The think-tank also says the South East should not be seen as the economic powerhouse for the whole country.

The inquiry was chaired by the leader of Kent County Council Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart and included business and housing charity representatives.

The IPPR report supported calls for more affordable homes but that local authorities have a bigger say in how many was appropriate for their communities.

It also warned that water supplies would be seriously over-stretched if new reservoirs were not built and homes built that were not energy-efficient.

One of its key conclusions was that more emphasis should be given to helping the economy of poorer parts of the country improve rather than focusing only on the South East.

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "Over the last few years there has been growing concern over the environmental and social pressures facing the region.

"These must be resolved. There is a consensus around the need for a new approach to growth in the South East."

Countryside campaigners welcomed the report.

"We welcome the Commission’s emphasis on the need for more subsidised, affordable housing as opposed to a massive increase in the construction of market homes," said CPRE campaigner Henry Oliver.