A government minister visited Stanhope to see for himself the progress being made on the multi-million pound transformation of the estate.

On a whistlestop tour, communities and local government minister Iain Wright was shown key elements of Stanhope’s redevelopment as part of a wider briefing on Ashford’s progress.

He said: “Ashford is a key growth area for the Government’s housing and regeneration plans, which is why communities and local government has invested £30 million since 2003 and will invest a further £22 million in the next three years.

“We are working together to improve existing homes and communities and it is good to see what has been achieved in Ashford.”

After meeting with Ashford’s Future board members he viewed the International Station, Newtown Way Bridge, the Designer Outlet and Willesborough Dykes before arrival at Stanhope.

He was greeted by Cllr Palma Laughton and officials from the Chrysalis consortium and builders involved in the £200 million Stanhope regeneration project.

~For full story and more pictures, see this Thursday’s Kentish Express.