Voters will head to the polls on Thursday following a councillor’s shock resignation.

The by-election in Kennington was sparked when Cllr Phil Sims (Con) resigned earlier this year.

Four parties - the Greens, Labour, Conservatives and Ashford Independent - are represented in the vote, with residents having until 10pm to cast their vote.

Mr Sims, who lives in Ball Lane, resigned in September after the Large Burton plans progressed.

The Tory had pledged to fight major development in his ward, but said stepping down was “only honourable thing to do”.

Developer Mark Quinn, of Quinn Estates, is behind the 750-home Large Burton scheme, which he hopes to build on fields off Willesborough Road in Kennington. A planning application is yet to be submitted but is expected soon.

KentOnline's sister title the Kentish Express spoke to the four by-election candidates:

Labour’s Dylan Jones is determined to become a force of opposition in Ashford Borough Council (ABC), particularly against the planned Large Burton, officially named Conningbrook Park.

The 28-year-old spent his childhood being educated in Kennington, attending Downs View Infant School before going to Kennington Juniors.

The Westwell resident was also a youth member of the Kennington Cricket Club.

Ashford Independent Ian Anderson, 69, has had a long career consulting overseas on a range of issues.

He has worked extensively with the World Bank, writing reports about his expertise - drainage and irrigation - in regions including Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

The Bethersden resident, who lives in Brissenden Green Lane, wants to bring better jobs to Kennington and preserve the green spaces.

The Green Party’s Peter Morgan, of Heathfield Road, has pledged to take on over-development and traffic issues in the ward.

The 66-year-old retiree spent almost three decades as a teacher in Surrey before working at Leeds Castle for 14 years.

He has supported a range of organisations which act on environmental, social and civil rights concerns.

Tory Nathan Iliffe, 25, believes his youth and listening abilities will allow him to best represent the views of every ward resident.

He promises to fight any development that does not improve the wellbeing of neighbours.

Mr Iliffe, who lives on the Orchard Heights estate, works at the Brakes food company on the Eureka Business Park.

The Kennington by-election is being held on Thursday (October 25). The two polling stations being used are the WI Hall in Faversham Road and St Mary’s church hall in Church Road. The polls are open from 7am to 10pm.