More than 30,000 new homes will be built in Ashford by 2031

The South East Plan is now being developed on a "sub-regional" scale, the regional assembly said.

Plans include building in the Gatwick, Ashford and Thames Gateway areas, in Surrey and along the Sussex coast.

More than 61,000 questionnaires seeking views on the first draft of the house-building plans were filled in and sent back to the regional assembly.

The assembly sent out 3.76m surveys but said it was still a "record response" which exceeded industry standards for direct mail.

A spokesman said a further 2,646 written responses were received from local authorities, interest groups, stakeholders and the public.

Final draft

Consultation on the initial draft of the South East Plan ended on 15 April.

A more detailed draft is being developed by local authorities during the second half of 2005, which includes the allocation of housing growth to district council areas and further consultation, the assembly said.

The assembly wants to agree a full final draft of the plan for submission to the government in March 2006.

The spokesman said there would then be more consultation and public examination of the plan, before it was expected that the final plan would receive government approval.