MP Hugh Robertson's Faversham and Mid Kent constituency could go

Sweeping changes to Kent's parliamentary constituencies will see the county losing one of its seats.

Under plans unveiled today by the Boundary Commission, the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency – held by the Olympics minister Hugh Robertson – is set to disappear.

The abolition of the constituency is the most significant proposal in changes that have been triggered by the government's commitment to cull the number of MPs to around 600 by 2015 – a reduction of about 50.

There will also be changes in several other Kent constituencies, with name changes for some.

However, seven parliamentary constituencies will remain broadly intact with just one – Sittingbourne and Sheppey – seeing no changes at all.

Kent's new parliamentary map

In the case of Faversham and Mid Kent, its electorate will be split between Canterbury and a re-shaped Tonbridge constituency, with different wards going to each.

In Thanet, the two existing constituencies are to be redrawn and renamed.

There will be a new constituency of Margate and Ramsgate, based on the existing Thanet South seat which will incorporate the two towns and Broadstairs.

The Thanet North seat will become a new constituency named Herne Bay, which will take five wards from Canterbury.

The Medway Towns will continue to have three MPs but there are name changes and new boundaries for all.

Rochester and Strood is to become Rochester but will take Chatham Central ward from the Chatham and Aylesford seat.

Chatham and Aylesford itself will retain 11 of its existing wards and additionally take a ward from Gillingham and Rainham and two from Tonbridge and Malling.

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In west Kent, there will be significant changes in Maidstone where the seat held by Helen Grant effectively loses its wards in The Weald and will be known as Maidstone.

Tonbridge and Malling – represented by one of Kent's longest serving MPs, Sir John Stanley – will be "significantly reconfigured".

It will lose six wards to Tunbridge Wells but take wards from Faversham and Mid Kent, Ashford and the existing Maidstone and Weald seat. It will be renamed Tonbridge.

Gary Cooke, the chairman of the Faversham and Mid Kent Conservative constituency association, said: "I am not surprised by the proposals and I can see the logic what has been proposed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that the seat is to disappear. We have an excellent MP and would wish him well whatever he chooses to do."

The shake-up, if agreed, will leave MPs like Hugh Robertson having to contest other constituencies if they wish to remain in the Commons.

Mr Robertson was elected in 2001, succeeding the constituency's former MP Andrew Rowe.

There will be consultation over the Boundary Commission proposals over the next three months with the final plans being in place by 2013 in time for the election in 2015.

The recommendations are based on plans for every seat to be no more than 5% bigger or smaller than an average electorate of 76,641.

Visit the Boundary Commission's website for more information about the planned changes.