Councils face being stripped of their powers to decide how many houses should be built in their area if they fail to set targets, the government is due to announce on Monday.

New rules are expected that will force councils to take into account an “affordability” measure designed to help those trying to get a foot on the housing ladder.

The rules are likely to have repercussions for Kent councils, particularly where high house prices mean many are unable to afford the deposit required.

Higher targets will be set for areas where house prices outstrip annual earnings.

One council in Kent - Thanet - has already been warned by housing minister Sajid Javid that it could face intervention for failing to adopt its Local Plan, the strategy for house-building targets over the next decade.

Mr Javid told the Sunday Times he would be "breathing down" the necks of local authorities to ensure targets are met.

“We have a housing crisis in this country. We need a housing revolution. The new rules will no longer allow ‘nimby’ councils that don’t really want to build the homes that their local community needs to fudge the numbers.”

In November, the government outlined plans for a new formula for working out housing need which, if applied, would see councils in Kent forced to accept thousands more homes than they want.

The announcement triggered a backlash from many Kent councils and prompted three Medway MPs to write to the minister to say the targets would be “ruinous.”

Tonbridge and Malling council said the government’s fresh assessment would mean a 23% increase in the number of new homes the authority believes it needs.

Indicative figures show the council would be expected to have 859 new homes built each year for the next two decades - when its own assessment suggests 696 homes are required.

Meanwhile, the Conservative leader of Swale council Andrew Bowles last year described the government plans as “barmy.”

Thanet council could also be challenged by the government after councillors rejected the Local Plan, chiefly over a row about the fate of the former Manston airport site.

Its owners want to build 2,500 homes on the 80-acre site which was contained in the council’s draft plan.

But its inclusion led councillors to reject it.