Councillors are backing Homes England recommendation to withdrawal £170m of funding for a major development in Kent.

Independents George Crozer, Michael Pearce and Ron Sands have written to Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove to support a decision which could see the loss of funding for housing project and infrastructure across the Hoo Peninsula.

Last week Homes England made the recommendation on economic grounds with the councillors now saying the project “has no local democratic mandate to continue”.

In October, Medway Council confirmed a new Call for Sites consultation later this year after discussions with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Planning Advisory Service.

The councillors make the argument the council has confirmed it no longer has a Preferred Development Strategy until this process is concluded, meaning it will not be able to adopt a new Local Plan before 2025 – the same year as the deadline for the HIF project.

The letter read: “In sound planning terms alone, the existence and continuation of the project is untenable as it pre-determines the supposedly objective and evidence-led Local Plan process.

“The project is no longer supported by up-to-date [planning] and therefore the foundations of sound plan making would be undermined from the outset, putting the Local Plan at risk of challenge at examination and failure.”

Other issues into the environmental impact were also raised in their letter.

It continues: “Following National Planning Policy, the Hoo Peninsula should, in fact, be a last resort for development rather than a priority.

“There are fewer environmentally impactful options and less sensitive locations in the Medway Council area that can accommodate the required growth as proposed on the peninsula.”

The councillors also suggested Tory MP Kelly Tolhurst was also in support of Homes England’s decision.

The recommendation to axe HIF cash was made by the government agency due to economic issues “seriously impacting” projects across the country.

Since it was approved in 2019, rising inflation and interest rates have seen project costs and borrowing spiral.

‘In sound planning terms alone, the existence and continuation of the Council's HIF Project is untenable’

It said: “As a public sector organisation, we need to ensure we achieve value for money alongside the delivery of new homes and settlements.

“We have been working closely with the council and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to try and find a way forward.”

While Homes England has recommended the funding be withdrawn, the future of the HIF will be decided by Mr Gove.

Council leader Cllr Vince Maple said: "We remain keen to work in partnership with Homes England to explore all options available to deliver a sustainable new community on the Peninsula. Our recent submission to them dealt with the impacts of inflation and kept the programme to the agreed £170m grant fund."