A public consultation for Thanet council’s local plan begins today.

The preferred options consultation will last eight weeks and include a series of roadshows across the district.

These drop-in meetings will discuss the council’s strategic objectives over the next 20 years.

Planning consultant Ismail Mohammed said: “The consultation will mainly be internet based and emails sent to us will be included.

“We will also be sending out press releases and use social media to get responses.”

The plan intends to encourage development on designated “strategic sites”, promote regeneration within Thanet towns and investigate options for the Manston Airport site.

Cabinet member for housing and planning services Cllr Richard Nicholson (Lab) said: “We have designated Manston Airport for a specific policy approach.

“The airport is privately owned and more information is needed before a consultation.

“There are competing proposals and we need detailed discussions with the owners because it is an unknown quantity.

“This is why we are dealing with it separately within the local plan as an area action plan issue.

“The airport is not included in these strategic blocks set out for development.”

The plan aims to create 5,000 jobs and reduce unemployment to below 3%.

There are four strategic employment sites to deliver business growth - in Manston, Eurokent Business Park, Thanet Reach Business Park and Hedgend Industrial Estate.

There are also 19 non-strategic sites to be considered for planning applications which includes mixed-use redevelopment or housing.

Thanet District Council also aims to deliver 12,000 new homes which means 600 per year.

Four strategic sites have been earmarked to allocate housing with 1,450 homes outlined for Westwood, 1,000 each for Birchington-on-Sea and Westgate-on-Sea and 700 for Manston Green and 30% of the total will be for affordable housing.

Acting chief executive Madeline Homer said: “Affordable housing does not mean social housing exactly.

“We’re talking about homes below market rent which cover opportunities that the government supports.”

The remaining distribution of housing would be in non-strategic sites.

Cllr Nicholson said: “If the developer chooses non-strategic land then they will have to go through a more detailed process.

“We plan to put housing in areas where there are already services nearby and to keep the green spaces protected.

“There will be new primary schools at Manston Green and Westwood.”

The council also aims to promote sustainable transport modes and make road improvements.

He added: “Traffic issues will still have to be dealt with and we are working with Kent Highways.

“Our rail links will also be improving with the new Thanet Parkway station.”

The consultation period ends on March 6 and is the first stage of six before the local plan would be adopted in February 2017.

Four roadshows will take place in January from noon to 7pm at Birchington Village Centre on January 13, Broadstairs Baptist Church on January 21 and Customs House in Ramsgate on January 29.

The main roadshow will be at Westwood Cross from 9am to 5pm on January 31.

There will be two more in Margate - at Hartsdown Leisure Centre from noon to 7pm on February 3 and Thanet District Council Gateway from noon to 2pm on February 10.