But a spokesman for Stansted said people from the Midlands already had direct rail access to the airport.

BBC: HS2 'will bring Birmingham Airport closer to London'

The new Southeastern HighSpeed service has transformed rail access to London, and also offers big time savings for journeys to places via Stratford, King's Cross, St Pancras and Euston.

BBC: Have your say: The future of Kent

He said poor rail and roads access, especially in north Devon, meant the number of houses proposed was unsustainable.

BBC: Houses plan 'needs roads first'