Council bosses have asked people in their district to give their views on a plan mapping out where 7,000 homes could be built over the next 13 years.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is putting together its local plan, which acts as a guide for housing and infrastructure development up to 2031.

The draft of the plan, currently available to read online here, has put the number of planned homes at 6,818, excluding smaller developments of one or two homes.

Among the earmarked developments is Borough Green Garden Village, which will bring 1,720 homes to the area.

Terms agreed as part of the proposal mean it will not be completed without a relief road to support an increase in traffic.

Other large developments include 1,000 homes in South Aylesford, east of Hermitage Lane and 900 homes in Bushey Wood.

The purpose of the local plan is to identify how the need for homes will be met, along with the need for jobs, schools, doctor's surgeries and other local amenities.

The council has launched its public consultation on the plan today, lasting until Monday, November 12.

All comments received during the consultation period will be grouped into main issues and submitted together with the local plan and supporting documents to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, James Brokenshire.

Cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure Cllr Howard Rogers said: "The local plan is an extremely important strategic document and we are very keen to receive the view of residents and local organisations in this final public consultation before the plan is submitted to the secretary of state.

"The plan is not just about building houses, it addresses our much wider needs and demands for the homes and communities in which we and our families want to live.

"Once adopted, the local plan will provide a robust basis for meeting those development needs across the borough including housing, schools, employment and the essentials for keeping Tonbridge and Malling a great place to live.

"It will enable us to negotiate developer contributions to deliver significant infrastructure improvements and provide a platform from which to launch bids for other sources of funding."

Over the next month, the council will hold two drop in sessions.

The first will be on Monday, October 15, from 9am to 8pm at the council's offices in Kings Hill, while the other will be on Wednesday, October 17, from 9am to 8pm in the council chamber at Tonbridge Castle.

Comments can be submitted online by completing a response form at www.tmbc.gov.uk/localplanreg19 or by emailing localplan@tmbc.gov.uk or in writing to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Local Plans Team, Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4LZ.’

All comments must be submitted by 4pm on Monday, November 12.