Reform UK won three by-elections because the Greens dropped opposition to a massive 5,000-home development in the middle of the Kent countryside, it has been claimed.

Lenham Parish Council chairman John Britt said the Green Party message of accepting the massive Heathands scheme as "a done deal" had cost them the seats on Maidstone Borough Council (MBC).

Cllr Britt has fought the scheme alongside Save Our Heath Lands (SOHL) since its inception, arguing it is in the wrong place and may not be supported by the necessary infrastructure or amenities for a development of its size.

Chris Houlihan, Mariela Nedelcheva and Steve Povey became the first Reform UK councillors ever to be elected to MBC for the Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs wards with more than 53% of the vote on a 31% turnout.

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