Plans to roll out a sprawling network of 4,000 new homes have been labelled “a disaster” capable of “ruining a historic market town”.

Swale Borough Council (SBC) blueprints surfaced for a “very large strategic site” in Faversham as it looks to meet housing targets of 8,326 by 2040.

If plans progress, the homes and a new secondary school would sprawl across land near Brenley Corner, according to official council documents, though specific sites are yet to be identified.

The decision to build in Faversham will form part of the council’s updated vision for its local plan - papers which will set out how the district will look to take on government targets and transform its towns by 2040.

But the move has been met with outrage, with politicians uniting to oppose the plans, including Tory MP Helen Whately who has drawn up a petition.

Speaking at SBC’s policy and resources committee on Wednesday (September 11) , Abbey ward councillor Charles Gibson (Lib Dem), labelled the project a “magical fantasy”.

“This is not just a plan failing Faversham, though I have no doubt it is, it is a plan failing our whole borough, letting down everybody in its lack of ambition across the board,” he said.

“It is magical fantasy to suggest building thousands of new houses will magically create a new Brenley Corner roundabout and that the government will pay for it – it is simply not going to happen.

“This development will have to move towards Graveney and the marshes, towards a large solar farm and a proposed battery storage that this council already believes to be dangerous.

“This draft of the local plan is an absolute disaster for Faversham and the whole borough.”

Councillors voted 7-6 in favour of proceeding with the scheme.

It comes as Faversham braces itself for the arrival of 2,500 houses on the other side of the A2, though Prince William’s Duchy of Faversham development is still awaiting planning permission.

Elsewhere, Sittingbourne and Sheppey would be required to construct about 1,000 homes – despite the two being significantly behind in delivering already-planned dwellings.

Council officers hope this plan will address the disproportionate balance of homes being built in the west of the borough, and say Faversham is a viable option which can sustain more pressure.

But issues linking to Brenley Corner, the location of sites and general infrastructure were all highlighted by critics who have urged the authority to rethink.

Speaking after the meeting, Teynham and Lynsted councillor Julien Speed (Con) told KentOnline: “Plonking 4,000 plus houses in Faversham is neither symbiotic nor sympathetic.

“It will ruin a historic and medieval market town.

“I would have preferred to see a recommended option of a strategic site in the west of the borough, to disperse the development more evenly.

“I just don’t see how deliverable this expansion of Faversham would be, especially from a highways perspective.”

The St Ann’s Labour group, which has councillors at both town and borough council levels, also says it will oppose the proposal.

Reacting to the decision, Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately said: “I am furious to see Swale Borough Council continuing to relentlessly target Faversham for development, ignoring the views of Faversham residents.

“With traffic jams already plaguing the town at rush hour and investment in Brenley Corner uncertain under the new Government, how do the councillors who voted for this think Faversham’s roads will cope with so much new housing?

“The council should urgently reconsider its housing policy.

“Faversham is a historic town surrounded by beautiful countryside; the council owes it to future generations to conserve that heritage.”

Prior to this, Cllrs Mike Whiting (Ind) and Mike Baldock (Swale Ind) forwarded and seconded the plan at an extraordinary meeting of the planning and transportation policy working group in August.

But Cllr Baldock did admit SBC is “having to develop housing that’s unsustainable and far beyond what this borough needs” due to government-imposed targets.

The proposals will now have to go through a full council meeting while the first of two public consultations over the plans will begin in November.