Allowing any development around Junction 8 of the M20 would be a betrayal of the people of Maidstone.

That was the message from back-bench councillors to cabinet members about to decide on the borough’s core strategy - the planning blue-print that will determine the shape of the town for the next 14 years.

Last night’s scrutiny committee voted to drop the 25.3 hectares at Woodcut Farm in Bearsted allocated by planning officers for warehouse and office development.

The land had previously been part of the notorious KIG application that was finally defeated at appeal two years ago.

Cllr Nick de Wiggondene (Con) said: "The idea that we can build on 25% of the KIG site without then inviting further development is absolute nonsense.

"Having spent millions fighting KIG, how can we now decide this is the best place to allow development?"

"We have no mandate to develop here.

"The people of Maidstone fought long and hard to prevent development at Woodcut Farm - this would be a betrayal."

Cllr Paulina Stockell (Con) said: "I was sitting here 17 years ago defending Junction 8 against development - than its was a football stadium. What has changed that now makes development acceptable?

"If this were to go to consultation, the public would be 100% against it."

Cllr Richard Ash (Con) said: "The ink has hardly dried on the KIG appeal. This proposal is absolutely ludicrous."

Only the committee chairman Cllr Stephen Burton (Con) voted to keep Woodcut Farm in the plans.

Whether cabinet members will take any notice of their colleagues’ views will be known at their meeting in the Town Hall on Wednesday (25th) at 3pm.