An emphasis by Swale council on building homes in Sittingbourne and on Sheppey rather than Faversham – which has received extra protection from development thanks to a £5,000 report – has been condemned by a councillor.

Cllr Mike Baldock (Ukip) said the council’s local plan, a blueprint for what will be built where over the next 15 years, is doomed to fail.

He questioned whether the council’s 540-homes-a-year target could be defended and raised concerns about a document, known as the Turley report, that was submitted as evidence of Faversham’s character and heritage.

“I think the Turley report was commissioned because they realised they would be under pressure to deliver housing numbers and it was a way of giving extra protection to Faversham,” he said.

“It’s appalling. It was done to try to ensure that any shortfall in housing from Swale’s failed local plan will be destined for Sittingbourne and Sheppey rather than Faversham.

"The fact they’ve zoned it to protect Faversham, that’s what will cause the plan to fail. You cannot leave one-third of the borough untouched.

“I think it’s shameful that Sittingbourne and Sheppey councillors are supporting this.”

Cllr Baldock said residents were unhappy about where homes were being built.

“They can see housing going up on every postage stamp of green space we have got and yet it’s not being shared equally across the borough.”

At last week’s public examination of the council’s local plan, planning consultants were among those promoting sites for development which had been left out of the final version.

Two large pieces of farmland, one at Chilton Manor Farm off Swanstree Avenue and another off Cryalls Lane and Wises Lane, between Sittingbourne and Borden, could have to be included in the council’s plan, with the latter deemed more suitable for housing.

Mick Drury, of BDB Design LLP, said 600 homes could be built either side of Wises Lane, with a new link road from the A2 to Borden Lane, via Adelaide Drive.

Cllr Roger Truelove (Lab), who represents Homewood Ward, said putting homes there should be opposed: “If this comes before us again we should oppose it, but there is enormous pressure from government to increase house allocations and it is clear that this area is high on the radar.”

Several plots around Bapchild may also be considered for inclusion, which would see the village nearly treble in size, and Iwade could be in line for another 400 homes and even more if the council’s target increases significantly.