Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, has welcomed the announcement by Housing Minister, John Heeley that Springhead Park in Ebbsfleet has been put on the Government’s short-list to receive housing ‘kick-start’ funding.

A total of 265 housing projects have been short-listed for the £550 million ‘kick-start’ fund that has been set up this year by the Government to speed up housing delivery and support jobs in the construction industry.

Phase one of the Springhead Park development is due to deliver 228 new homes for market sale, affordable rent and low cost home ownership.

Dr Stoate said; “the property market slowdown has really affected the pace of development in the Ebbsfleet Valley so I’m delighted that Springhead has been short-listed for kick-start funding. It’s good news for the local construction industry, the economy as a whole and local families looking for a new home.”

Every housing project that eventually receives kick-start cash will have to meet a series of stringent terms and conditions. Not only will they have to provide schemes for local labour and apprenticeships, the developer will also have to pay back up to half of the funding it receives from the Government once the project is complete.

All of the 265 projects will now be subject to due diligence to further test their deliverability, risk and financial position before a final list of projects is drawn up.

Housing Minister John Heeley said; “We are using the power of Government investment to build homes and support jobs at a time when the housebuilding industry needs it most.”

“I’m making it a condition of getting this Government money that all builders offer recruitment of local people and apprenticeship schemes. This means opportunities for 1,000 extra apprentices. With this money we’re kickstarting stalled developments, supporting new jobs, training future generations of construction workers and building the quality homes we need.”

For further information about Springhead Park please visit www.springheadpark.co.uk