A council leader has described central government’s increasing housing demands as “something from Monty Python”.

Medway Council leader Cllr Alan Jarrett made the comments in light of proposals for more than 35,000 homes to be built in the Towns by 2035.

Cabinet members agreed on Tuesday to send a strongly-worded letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Revisions put forward by the government would include the adoption of a standardised method of the number of homes local authorities are expected to provide, meaning 37,143 would have to be built in Medway by 2035 rather than the previous aim of 29,463.

If a council fails to meet 75% of its targets over a three-year period, the government could force authorities to approve all planning applications unless their adverse impacts “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits.

Asked if the council agrees to the proposed sanctions, the council will respond: “A categorical no.”

The draft letter, approved by cabinet members, reads: “If the standard methodology is accepted, we have a housing target of 1,665 – (which is) highly unlikely… the development industry can deliver that, let alone for it to be acceptable in environmental and infrastructure terms.

“If Medway do not deliver 1,249 homes (which is a 223% increase), then we will fail the 75% test.

“Even if Medway was to get a 200% increase up to 1,112 – which would be incredible on the basis of the test – it would be penalised when it should be rewarded.”

Cabinet members were vocal with their criticism of the plans, insisting central government was trying to shift the blame of the nationwide housing shortage.

Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con), council leader, said: “If we look at the north-south divide, which is not a political point, it makes a mockery of the government’s policy of directing massive infrastructure funding to the north while reducing their housing numbers, and piling all those housing numbers into the east and the south-east, which is seeing little or no infrastructure funding at all.

“To be quite frank, it beggars belief. It’s like something out of Monty Python – you couldn’t make it up, could you?”

Housing Secretary Sajid Javid has threatened to strip planning powers from councils across the country if they fail to meet housing targets.

The council’s response adds: “(The change) places unfair consequences on even those local planning authorities, such as Medway, that are positively preparing for a new Local Plan and are actively engaging with the development industry to promote high quality development in appropriate, sustainable locations.

“The new methodology currently proposed would result in an annual requirement of 1,665 – which is nearly more than double the requirement of just four years ago – and a 30% increase on the very recent SHMA (Strategic Housing Market Assessment) figure.”