Ashford is one of four key growth areas set by the government

It follows criticism from the Campaign to Protect Rural England that there could be a conflict of interest.

The council said it was not unusual for an authority to use the private sector. Planning chief Richard Alderton said "careful safeguards" were built in.

Ashford will see major house building in coming years under government plans. Wimpey declined to comment.

'Huge pressures'

CPRE spokesman Jim Little said the organisation was "uncomfortable" with Wimpey's financial input into the planning process.

But Mr Alderton said funds paid for extra staff to handle applications.

He said: "Ashford is growing very fast and facing huge pressures.

"In response, various applicants on major schemes in Ashford have offered to help fund the planning service to deal with extra costs.

"The great value is that we can deliver the same level of service to Ashford residents as we always have without local people suffering a loss of service and slower turnaround of planning applications."

He said extra staff had no direct relationships with applicants, were managed by the council, and reported through their managers to decision-making politicians.

The Audit Commission said: "Issues of probity and transparency are important and need to be dealt with in proper ways.

"But as long as externally-funded consultants are appointed by the council and are not the final decision makers on the application, this does not represent a conflict of interest."