Plans to build 15,000 new homes in Ebbsfleet creating a new garden city are on track according to a minister for housing.

The promised £200 million worth of investment for infrastructure is still set to be funnelled into the scheme, Brandon Lewis MP told Parliament during an update on progress on Tuesday.

He told the house that house building had already begun in some areas and that the next phase would see 170 new homes built.

In parliament, he said: “This country has faced a shortfall in housing for many years, with young people and families struggling to find the homes they want and need, particularly in the south east.

“We are committed to increasing their chances and our programmes to accelerate house building are already seeing results.

“Our approach is a locally-led approach. We invite local areas to come forward, without any top-down centrally imposed requirements. This approach will help make new garden cities locally acceptable, and so make them a reality.

“With close transport links and large areas of brownfield land, the Ebbsfleet area has huge potential as a place to deliver a substantial number of new homes.

“The government is seeking not only to increase the pace of development, but also to create high quality development.

"To build homes that are supported by local employment opportunities, green space and the necessary infrastructure, so that Ebbsfleet becomes a place where people want to live, work and raise families.”

MP for Dartford Gareth Johnson attended the debate, asking the minister to ensure his constituents that the £200 million investment remains set aside from the project.

He also asked whether Mr Lewis agreed that you cannot judge a good project on the amount of houses you can cram into an area – responding to Labour’s desire to see 5,000 more homes built in the area.

“Our approach is a locally-led approach. We invite local areas to come forward" - Brandon Lewis MP, housing minister

Mr Lewis said: “The statement that was made at the budget last year has not changed. I can give him confidence of that.”

In a statement after the debate, Mr Johnson said: “I am glad the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment of £200m to ensure the correct infrastructure is in place for the new communities being proposed.

“Ebbsfleet Garden City is an exciting development which will create new jobs and new homes but it will only work if local people and businesses are part of the decision making process and that we have sufficient school places, medical provision and transport links to cope with the extra housing.

“Dartford and the surrounding area has great potential and I look forward to helping shape this new and vibrant place to live.”

Simon Thompson, Labour parliamentary candidate for Dartford, said: "The infrastructure we need must be built before the housing, or Swanscombe and Dartford will suffer.

"That includes schools, doctors surgeries roads and the extension of Crossrail. But this government has once again refused the opportunity to set any targets for social or affordable homes at Ebbsfleet.

"Prices starting at £300,000 simply aren't affordable for many local people. We should be building modern attractive social housing and supporting self-build and community developments to keeps costs down."