A new plan reveals more than 200 homes need to be built on brownfield sites throughout a town centre amid warnings its green spaces and heritage could otherwise be lost.

Councillors are proposing a new Neighbourhood Plan which they say will increase protection for the environment and historic parts of Faversham.

But as a result, as many as 219 houses are needed across the town if residents can be convinced to back the “quite special” plan - which has been years in the making.

It has earmarked 10 brownfield sites dotted around the town centre for potential transformation – both through demolition and restoration.

Praise for the plan has come in from all political quarters, with particular emphasis on it strengthening Faversham’s say on planning matters and protecting its environment and heritage.

Members of the Liberal Democrat, Green and Labour parties on the town council have all offered support, praising the project for its “ambitious, progressive policies”.

Residents and business owners have also spoken positively of the provisional details – but noted some criticisms regarding cost and impact on traffic.

Simon Tyler, former boss of Creekside Vinyl in the town centre, told KentOnline he felt it was time the town took matters into its own hands.

He said: “I think we need housing. There are lots of young people who haven't got housing and the town is going to grow, so we might as well make it grow on its own.

“It’s better to have stuff there rather than it go derelict. The more grotty everything becomes, the more crime you're likely to have, the more undesirable stuff you're likely to have.

“I would argue there are probably better things to spend money on and address but they would then argue by implementing the plan, they are then allowed to do the other stuff.”

Nathan Iliffe, of Iliffe and Iliffe estate agents, said: “If you look at Faversham today and the amount of development that the town has had and how vibrant our town centre is, some of that is down to the fact that more people are now living in the town and using the town centre.

“From where I'm sitting in my office, I can see at least two businesses that have opened within the last six months and another one that's currently being fitted out to open now. Having grown up in Faversham, that wasn't always the way.

“Sometimes there's a myth that it's all going to people from outside the area and sometimes there are new people that will move to the town when developments are built but that's not necessarily a bad thing either, and it is also local people that get to buy these homes and move into them.”

Standard Quay boss Michael White added: “Brownfield sites should be looked into wherever they could possibly be developed.”

Kiln Court and Osborne Court, previously the centre of a row over plans to host asylum-seeking teenagers there, would host the lion’s share of homes with 75 earmarked for the site.

Also put forward as potential new-build sites are three plots of former BMM Weston land in Brent Road, space at Beaumont Davey Close, the previously-approved Railway Yard, Fentiman’s Yard, Ordnance Wharf, the former White Horse car park in North Lane and the old coach depot in Abbey Street.

The BMM Weston proposals sparked some concerns from campaigner Carol Goatham.

She told KentOnline: “There's just no room for two-way traffic. It's already down to one-way and it forces everyone up onto Davington Hill and through Davington, so that would be problematic.

“I don't really see that many of those sites will come forward for housing in the short term. I'm not certain how keen the people who have put forward these places are to actually develop them.

“But obviously if they do get developed then it will clog up the town, no doubt.”

If approved when voted on by the public next month, the Faversham Neighbourhood Plan would need to be considered by Swale Borough Council (SBC) in future planning debates for applications affecting the town.

It is hoped any additional applications within the boundaries of the town centre could be rejected by the authority – a deal which would last until 2038.

John Irwin, the chairman of Faversham Futures, said: “A yes vote will mean that Swale planners, in deciding planning applications, must follow the Faversham plan.

“It is absolutely essential to get a majority in favour of the plan as it will give Faversham real power to shape its future. If the referendum fails, nobody will do another plan and Faversham will lose significant control of its prospects.

“The referendum cannot be treated as a safe opportunity for a ‘protest vote’ against mass housing development. Without it, we will see more applications for development on greenfield sites within the town, and we shall have no way to prevent them.”

Having first been instigated by Faversham Town Council in 2019, SBC agreed earlier this year to host a referendum on the matter – which has been pencilled in for November 21.

People will be asked to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the following question: “Do you want Swale Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Faversham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Describing the plan, town councillor Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem) said: “It includes ambitious, progressive policies to protect natural and build environments, open spaces and heritage. It also includes policies to improve walking and cycling, the mix of buildings and to protect and enhance the Creek and the Maritime Gateway.”

Kent county and Swale borough councillor Rich Lehmann (Green) said: “I support the emphasis on redevelopment of existing buildings where possible, as this will reduce the carbon footprint of development within the town and protect existing green spaces and the natural environment.

“I also support the requirements for affordable housing and community-led housing, as well as the provision of sustainable and active travel options and opportunities for renewable energy initiatives.

“I hope that this plan will help to protect our local heritage and natural environment and appreciate all the time and work that has gone into it.”

Faversham’s Labour group said in a statement: “It will help us prevent speculative development in the town council area, promote the vitality of our town centre, protect our green spaces and natural environment, preserve our heritage and develop sustainable travel.

“A big yes vote will also give Swale Borough Council a strong message, as they develop their new Local Plan, about how much local people care about Faversham and want to maintain its unique character.”

While the plan would be used to decide planning applications in the town centre in the future, it could only offer limited protection for the outskirts of Faversham which continues to be earmarked for large projects from developers.

Areas such as land at Queen Court Farm in Brogdale Road – where 400 homes could be built – had to be left out of the Neighbourhood Plan as part of the site falls outside the town council’s jurisdiction.

The town is already bracing itself for the arrival of 2,500 houses on the other side of the A2 from the Duchy of Cornwall - although the development led by Prince William’s estate is still awaiting a planning decision.

The 1,800-home Winterbourne Fields development in nearby Dunkirk is also proposed, while residents reacted negatively to SBC’s suggestion last month of an extra 4,000 properties in Faversham.

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.