A large swathe of countryside stretching from Yalding across Hunton, Coxheath, Linton, Boughton Monchelsea, Chart Sutton and Sutton Valence, and including parts of Langley and Headcorn, could be given national protection against future development.

In addition the Low Weald Area of Local Landscape Value, which takes in all of the rest of Headcorn, might also be given new elevated levels of protection.

The hope rises from a motion proposed by Cllr Brian Clark (Lib Dem) that Maidstone Borough Council should take advantage of the opportunities presented by the announcement of a Government review into the nation's Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks.

Currently, Maidstone has five areas of Local Landscape Value, (LLVs) which include the Greensand Ridge, stretching across the scarp face from Yalding to Sutton Valence. But LLVs are a local designation and carry little weight when it comes to planning battles.

Cllr Clark suggested the Greensand Ridge LLV be put forward for the Government to consider as a new AONB, and also proposed the borough's four other LLVs should be upgraded to a new "sub-tier" of protection which the Government is considering.

His suggestion won cross-party support from members of the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport Committee, with the chairman, Cllr David Burton (Con) suggesting: "I hope we can all support this."

As an AONB, the Greensand Ridge would have the highest national level of protection, and since there was also a duty to conserve the "setting" of an AONB, adjacent areas could also benefit from a ban on intrusive development.

If the Government accepts the proposal, it will not save those sites already allocated in the Local Plan, but could prevent any more so called "windfall sites" coming forward.

Any change will not happen quickly. The Government review doesn't close till December, and won't report until the following year. If the Greensand Ridge is selected for consideration, there will be a lengthy period of examination and consultation, probably resulting in a public inquiry before the new designation was conferred.

The borough's landscape team leader, Deanne Cunningham, warned: "It's an onerous process that could take years."

But Cllr Steve Munford (Ind) was not deterred. He said: "This is for the future protection of the area. It's a once in a life time opportunity to do something for our grandchildren and their future."

The vote in favour was unanimous.

The other areas of Local Landscape Value that could benefit are the Loose Valley, Len Valley and Medway Valley.

Cllr Sue Grigg (Lib Dem) said after the meeting: "With such a high degree of pressure on our valued local landscapes from development, it will be a great benefit to the borough if we can achieve strong nationally recognised protection from Natural England."

Cllr Tony Harwood said: “AONB status would also lever in significant grant funding which will enable local farmers and other land managers to restore and enhance our local woodland, parkland and orchards, as well as the wildlife which depends upon these habitats."