£10bn to cope with new homes

Up to 800,000 homes are due to be built in the South East

A demand has been made for £10bn to improve Kent's infrastructure so the county can cope with the 120,000 new homes planned by the government.

It is one of Kent County Council's four key tests which it says must be passed before the houses are built.

One of the tests is that Kent's countryside, villages, market towns and environmental heritage should be protected and enhanced.

The council also wants to ensure all development should be of the highest quality and there should be new jobs to go with the new houses.

Our responsibility is now to be resolute in protecting Kent's unique countryside and heritage to enhance the quality of life of all Kent residents

Sir Sandy Bruce Lockhart, council leader

It also says the necessary investment for infrastructure should be secured.

A report by the council about the cost of housing growth stresses that public sector funding would be needed from all government levels to pay for the infrastructure to go with the new homes.

Sir Sandy Bruce Lockhart, council leader, said the council had been advised it could no longer take legal action to oppose the government's housing figures.

Sir Sandy said: "It would not be responsible for Kent to embark on the growth plans laid out by the government without clear guarantees of funding that will protect the county.

"Our responsibility is now to be resolute in protecting Kent's unique countryside and heritage to enhance the quality of life of all Kent residents.

"At the same time we must seize any opportunity to invest in and radically improve our road and rail infrastructure."

Four areas in the South East have been chosen as sites for a total of up to 800,000 homes - Ashford, The Thames Gateway, Milton Keynes and Stansted.