The country’s biggest housebuilder Persimmon says Ashford will not be affected by the announcement it is putting all new projects on hold.

Persimmon is behind the Repton Park development on the former Templar Barracks site near junction 9 of the M20.

Persimmon has reported a 24 per cent drop in sales this year and has therefore reviewed all its operations in the UK. National statistics show the number of new builds is at the lowest level for seven years.

Jason Stokes, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes South East said: “We can confirm that it is very much business as usual around the country for Persimmon and all Persimmon South East developments in Ashford are fully open and ready to welcome visitors as normal.”

A spokesman for Ashford’s Future said: “There is no reason for alarm; the current housing downturn is unlikely to significantly affect the planned expansion of Ashford in the long term.

"We have a 30 year growth period and there are bound to be fluctuations in the market which will affect the speed of growth during this time.”