Brent Council is being forced to rewrite its strategy for the next 10 years after Government officials said part of it was not up to scratch.

In March, the local authority was told its core strategy development plan document (DPD) was too vague, repeated itself, was unrealistic in its vision for the borough and had no coherent picture of how Brent was going to grow over time.

Inspectors who scrutinised the document also singled out a number of areas, including Wembley, which lacked focus in term of direction of growth.

In a report presented to the council, planning inspector Simon Emmerson, said: "Much of the text (of the DPD) discusses general planning matters in a broad way with limited reference to Brent.

"And there is no coherent picture of how different parts of Brent will develop over time."

The local authority has now been forced to seek permission from the secretary of state to withdraw the plan, so it can be amended and rewritten.

The fiasco has been widely criticised by opposition parties.

Ann John, leader of the Brent Labour Party, said: "There is no ambition from this administration and not enough vision for the future.

The council lacks long-term focus - clearly seen in the rejection of the plan - and the borough needs clear leadership and motivation.

"The council's executive members are too busy fighting among themselves and it is detracting from long-term issues."

Each local authority is required by law to draw up a DPD, which outlines planning policies and strategies for the short-term future.

The document is supposed to include projections for transport, housing and commercial developments.

Officials then scrutinise the plans to ensure they fit into Central Government's aims for future growth.

Brent's plan was also slammed for failing to mention the scale of additional housing needed and glossing over the issues of transport, schools and health facilities.

The council will now be forced to make a number of changes and conduct a public consultation about the revisions later in the year.

A local authority spokesman said: "The council is clear that the Inspector is not unhappy with the overall plan for the borough but wants much more detail about what new houses will be provided and when and what is needed to support the new population in terms of schools, transport and other facilities.

"The council has this information and will include it in a revised plan. This will be put to the council's executive in the autumn of 2008 and then put out for public consultation in winter 2008 ."