Canterbury City Council could be forced to add thousands of extra homes to its already controversial planning blueprint, the Gazette can reveal.

Currently, the Local Plan envisages 16,000 homes being built by 2031, but sources say that figure could be significantly beefed up to more than 20,000 if the government demands action.

The likelihood of additional housing hinges on revised National Planning Policy Framework guidelines published this week.

These changes will trigger new household projection figures - likely resulting in a surge for the Canterbury district, meaning even more land will be earmarked for development.

The current plan, approved in July last year, drew criticism for the extent of the proposed developments. Residents raised concerns over the strain placed upon local services and increases in pollution and congestion brought by additional vehicle movements.

At the time, an independent inspector outlined the need for a review within one year of it being adopted. While the review concluded there was no need for new housing sites, that will change soon change.

Council chief executive Colin Carmichael referred to the imminent review at last week’s policy and resources committee meeting.

Authority spokesman Rob Davies said: “In the current Local Plan, the number of new houses is 800 a year, up until 2031, and we do expect this to rise, potentially significantly, under the new process.

“Crucially, however, we will need to wait until new household projection figures come out in September before knowing what the house building numbers will be for Canterbury district.

“Although we now have a clearer picture of what the future process will look like, any speculation on actual numbers is meaningless until those key population figures come out in the autumn.”

Last year, 217,000 homes were built in England - the biggest increase in more than a decade.

Lib Dem Cllr Michael Dixey was one of the main objectors last year and said “developers must be rubbing their hands with glee”. Now, with more houses set to be added, a new window has potentially opened for house builders to devise fresh proposals.

Property mogul Mark Quinn, who has offered to build the shell of a new hospital and 2,000 homes, says developers shouldn’t be criticised for doing what the plan sets out.

“Developers aren’t the force of greed which we are perceived to be,” he said.

“Some in the area have given the rest of us a bad name but that’s not the case for most - I want what’s best for the district.

“Take the hospital plan, it’s the most complex scheme I have done and definitely one of the most difficult.

“It would have taken significantly less effort for me to do something elsewhere as it’s costing me millions. But I want to deliver a hospital, it would be a dream.”

The original plan, which critics said was rushed through, passed with councillors voting 29 in favour, four against and two abstentions.

Mr Davies added: “House building in Canterbury is always an important issue and one we are continuously looking at.

“We need more housing in the city to meet future population growth, the needs of people who want to work here and the impact of high speed rail services, and ensure we address the affordability issue for future generations.”