The man leading plans to build a garden city in Kent has said he will fight to keep £310 million of government funding for the project despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Paul Spooner, the chief executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, said pressure on Whitehall budgets after Brexit should not affect plans to build up to 15,000 homes between Gravesend and Dartford.

During a speech on Wednesday at the North Kent B2B exhibition at Buckmore Park in Chatham, he revealed property developers remain committed to the project despite the potential fluctuations in house prices after last week’s vote.

He also revealed his “realistic” goal to build 5,100 homes in Ebbsfleet by 2021, a site where only 400 houses were built in the 20 years to 2015.

The target would not be met, he said, if the government went back on its commitment last year to invest in infrastructure needed by developers, such as roads, water works and broadband cabling.

Mr Spooner said: “In light of Brexit, my first task is to protect that £310 million. Our job is to invest and give confidence to investors.

“It is essential the Government continues to ladle us with the investment they have allocated to get those old quarry areas regenerated and get the housing we need.”

At present there are five property developers on the garden city site, where the EDC aims to build 300 homes by 2016/17.

The main landowners in the garden city area, Land Securities and Henley Camland, have both privately reaffirmed their commitment to the project, according to Mr Spooner.

“The people we are working with take a very long-term view. It is going to be a choppy next few months but the overall demand is there..." - Paul Spooner, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

He said: “The developers have committed serious significant resources and remain committed to the task.

“There will be pressure on prices and values after Brexit but the underlying principles of its good location and housing demand remains.

“There was a significant housing challenge in the country last week and this week is no different.

“The people we are working with take a very long-term view. It is going to be a choppy next few months but the overall demand is there.

“It will be harder and we will have to work harder but we are confident we can make this happen.”

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “The government remains committed to supporting housing and infrastructure at Ebbsfleet.”