Hundreds march against plans to build on green belt land in Meopham, others joined along the 1.5 mile route

Campaigners fighting proposals to build hundreds of homes on green belt land were given a boost today as the council backed their plea to protect rural land.

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Gravesham Borough Council leader John Burden outlined plans for the Local Development Framework (LDF) at a press conference this afternoon.

He revealed the council received almost 5,000 responses to a consultation, with the majority against controversial options to build on green belt land in Meopham, Istead Rise, south of Astra Drive in Gravesend and west of Wrotham Road between Morrisons and St George’s School.

Residents held protest marches and demonstrations as they urged the council to safeguard green belt land at a series of heated public meetings.

The proposals will now see 4,600 homes built by 2028 with the bulk provided by approved developments, such as the Canal Basin, Heritage Quarter, Northfleet Embankment and Dalefield Way.

Mr Burden said: “We said we would listen and that this was a genuine consultation. We were obliged to put forward all the potential sites for development - even those we did not favour - and we took the flak from the people who misunderstood our position.”

He added: “I hope these people - and the many who supported the consultation process - now realise that we have listened to the community and we have taken decisions in their best interests. But the battle is not won. I call on all of those who were involved and who now must welcome our final plans to support the council because we still have to persuade the Seecretary of State’s Inspectorate that our plans are not only viable but carry the community with them.”

He added: “We believe in real localism and we will prove it. It is now for the government to do the same.”

It is hoped the plan will be endorsed at the next cabinet meeting.

Part of the LDF sets out aspirations to boost job opportunities in the borough alongside housing which the council are confident they can deliver.

See next week’s Reporter out on Thursday for more on this story.