COUNTY Hall leaders are preparing for a showdown with regional planners over controversial moves that could mean thousands more homes being built in Kent.

County councillors are to challenge proposals for up to 36,000 houses to be built in the south east each year – more than 6,000 a year more than the Government wants.

KCC’s ruling Conservative leaders have thrown down a gauntlet to the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) by insisting the assembly’s options for growth must include a significantly lower target of 25,000 homes a year.

The 111-strong assembly meets next Monday, November 29, to fix the region’s 20-year house-building strategy. It has taken on the role under Government reforms of the planning system.

Members will be asked to vote on three options for growth, ranging from 29,500 homes a year to a mid-range option of 32,000 to a higher option of 36,000.

But KCC’s Conservative leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said he would be calling for SEERA to include a “stand still” figure of 25,500 among the options and that none should be higher than 32,000 a year.

“An acceleration in the building figures would be disastrous for Kent. What we need is jobs, funding for community infrastructure and above all a priority of protecting Kent’s unique and priceless countryside,” he said.

Kent’s share of housing under SEERA’s plans could be anything between 5,800 homes to 7,000 homes a year.

County planners were highly critical of the way SEERA had acted. Chief planning officer Leigh Herington said it was “the most chaotic process” he had encountered in 30 years.

It is understood several other authorities in Kent will back the lower house-building target although it will be resisted by business representatives on the assembly, who also have a vote.

Council representatives on the assembly are likely to push for lower targets but will face opposition from business chiefs, who also have voting rights on SEERA.