Consultation on the South East Plan finishes in just over two weeks

The South East's regional assembly (SEERA) is planning the future of house building, infrastructure provision, transport and the environment in Kent.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said that of the 150 people who attended the meeting, not one thought the plan "offers a sustainable future".

SEERA said there was "a constructive dialogue" on the key issues.

Wednesday evening's meeting at the Corn Exchange in Maidstone was arranged by the CPRE to let the people of Kent have their say on the proposals.

The three main speakers were Paul Bevan, SEERA's chief executive, Richard King, cabinet member for transport and the environment at Kent County Council, and Dr Hilary Newport, director of CPRE Kent.

'Protected environment'

The plan could see between 25,500 and 32,000 homes built every year for 20 years across the whole of the South East.

Dr Newport said: "The plan must create a prosperous Kent with a protected natural environment, as well as providing the infrastructure vital to maintaining our quality of life."

CPRE says housing developments need good infrastructure

She added that there was great concern over the potential impact of the plan on the environment.

Mr Bevan reiterated that the South East Plan is only in its first draft stage.

He said: "The whole point of this consultation is to promote this kind of debate and get the public's views.

"There are a wide range of issues - we inevitably focused on the protection of the countryside last night."