A defeated county council Ukip candidate has confirmed he has decided to stand as an independent in the general election to highlight opposition to housing developments in the Sittingbourne area.

Mike Baldock, who was narrowly defeated in the Swale West division by Conservative candidate Mike Whiting, says he is to stand as an “anti-housing” candidate to draw attention to the widespread opposition locally to a number and scale of developments, particularly in Borden.

Meanwhile, in another twist, the party will have no candidate to back in the June poll after Richard Palmer, who stood in 2015, confirmed he was no longer standing.

He came second with more than 12,000 votes in 2015 but said he would not be putting his name forward after making critical comments about Paul Nuttall the leader.

“This is really a gimmick election and there was no reason to call it. Ukip has achieved so much but is going along with this gimmick,” he said.

However, in an official statement, he said: “In this election both Labour and the Conservatives are fielding Brexit candidates in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. Under these circumstances, should UKIP also stand a candidate there could be a real danger of splitting the Brexit-vote 3 ways and potentially allowing a remain candidate through the middle, winning on as little as 30% of the vote.”

“Consequently, it has been decided that UKIP will stand down in Sittingbourne and Sheppey in this election and support our candidates in other seats in Kent. “

Mr Baldock said he had since been inundated with offers of support and money to help pay the £500 deposit after posting the idea on Facebook.

“People feel very strongly about this issue and I have been surprised by the number of people who want me to stand,” he said.

But the decision could land him in trouble with Ukip as he is standing under his own colours although he has notified the party’s local branch about his decision.

Mr Baldock, who is a borough councillor, said he had not considered if he would have to resign from Ukip.

“We are in unchartered waters. I’ve not really considered the repercussions but already had some offers of support which is good.”

Other candidates standing in Sittingbourne and Sheppey are Gordon Henderson (Cons), Mark Lindop (Green), Lee McCall (Ind), Keith Nevols (Lib Dem), Mike Rolfe (Lab) and Mad Mike Young (Monster Raving Loony Party)