Emergency powers used by the government allowing a post-Brexit lorry park to be built in Medway have been branded "hugely draconian which smack of desperation".

Residents, councillors and planning officers will be bypassed under a statutory order which comes into effect on Thursday.

But while the law was passed without any public consultation and council chiefs being kept in the dark, it has been confirmed no concrete proposals for a lorry park in the Towns are being considered.

Medway Council and Kent County Council are among a list of 29 authorities in a law set down earlier this month which mean local planning authorities can be ignored.

The developments are expected to be sites where "a border department" – such as HMRC or Border Force – can carry out checks on vehicles and seize goods for anyone entering or leaving the UK.

Labour councillors are preparing to lodge a motion at a full council meeting next month condemning the government's tactics.

Medway Council leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said the council was "not originally approached by the government" about its plans for a special development order which listed Medway as a potential location for a lorry park.

He added: "The local authority areas were identified to simply ensure that should inland facilities be required to support relevant ports, that there is a mechanism for an appropriate site specific proposal to come forward under the order within a suitable location and within a reasonable distance of a port and/or strategic highway network.

"We have now received confirmation that the inclusion of Medway within the order does not indicate a facility will be needed here and that they are not currently considering any proposals within Medway.”

Opposition leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) said it was "appalling to see legislation without consultation" and a "disregard for local democracy and local government".

"Whether there's a lorry park built or not, this will anger people. It's really poor governance and people deserve better than that.

"The government has got this close to a deadline and taken this hugely draconian approach. Bringing it forward very quickly smacks of desperation and a lack of management of the process of Brexit."

Urgent powers have already been used in Kent to bring forward holding areas for trucks in two locations in Kent.

A car park at Ebbsfleet International station previously used as a testing site for Covid-19 will be converted in a customs area for lorries.

A 2,000-space park is also under construction off the M20 at Ashford after plans suddenly emerged to residents' and local officials' surprise.

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