Housebuilder agrees to deliver more than 100 homes a year on the north Kent site

Keepmoat Homes has agreed a deal with the government’s housing delivery agency to build nearly 600 homes on the Ebbsfleet Garden City scheme.

The private equity-owned housebuilder bought a near-12ha site at Northfleet Embankment on the development in north Kent from Homes England for an undisclosed sum.

Ebbsfleet Garden City

Following the granting of planning permission last year Doncaster-based Keepmoat will build 598 homes at an accelerated rate of at least 100 a year, versus a normal delivery figure of between 50 and 70 a year.

The housebuilder said 224 (37%) of the homes would be classed as affordable.

The first homes will be ready in May next year, with completion of the scheme expected by 2025.

The site will also feature community facilities, open space, a new primary school and a Fastrack bus route.

Tim Beale, Keepmoat’s chief executive, said his firm welcomed the deal with Homes England and planned to “build a thriving community on the banks of the River Thames”.

Last week the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation approved masterplans and design codes for two new village schemes on the Ebbsfleet Garden City site (pictured).

An area formerly known as the Eastern Quarry will be renamed Whitecliffe and feature two new villages, Ashmere and Alkerden, hosting a total of up to 4,600 homes.

Work on those homes is expected to start this year, according to an EDC spokesman.