The leader of Gravesham council won’t be standing for election next year - after his own party blocked his application to be a candidate.

Conservative Cllr David Turner confirmed that he had not been approved as a candidate for the party in next May’s town hall election but declined to comment on the reasons for the decision or the background.

However, it is understood that Cllr Turner was rejected as a candidate at a party selection panel.

He was given the opportunity to appeal through the party’s standard process but he chose not to do so.

Cllr Turner is also thought to be weighing up standing as an independent.

Asked about the decision, he said he was likely to make a statement but did not want to detract from the unveiling of statue of Queen Elizabeth this week.

The news comes against a background of rumours about splits within the local party.

There has been controversy over the council’s Local Plan, which includes a series of options to help it meet a 2,000-home shortfall by building substantially on green belt land.

Last year, the then deputy council leader Leslie Hills resigned from his position in protest against his leader’s building policies.

Cllr Hills stepped down from his role on Gravesham council’s cabinet over the prospect of building on green belt land east of Chalk.

Next year’s election is likely to be closely fought with the Conservative’s defending a narrow majority. It currently has 24 seats against Labour’s 20.

Cllr Turner represents Istead Rise ward and took over as leader after the death of former leader John Cubitt.

Conservative party agent Andrew Kennedy said the party had followed the same process with Mr Turner as it had with all would-be candidates.

He was made aware of the appeal process but had chosen not to do so.