The first residents have moved into new apartments in Dartford town centre's landmark new homes development.

Construction work is underway as developers Bellway transform the site of a derelict former brewery off Lowfield Street into a development of 644 new homes.

Homeowners have now moved into their apartments in Labatt House, which lie on the southern edge of the site off Vauxhall Place.

It will provide 27 private apartments and two affordable homes available for local people through shared ownership.

Just two apartments remain available for purchase within the complex.

Emma Hamlett, sales director of Bellway London, said: “It is lovely to see the first buyers move into Copperhouse Green and we are sure it will not be long before a new community is created in Dartford.

“This is an important site in the centre of town and the community has waited a long time for it to be redeveloped.

"People have been supportive of our work to regenerate the site to create homes and jobs.

She added: “This enthusiasm has been reflected in interest from buyers.

"People from Dartford and beyond want to live in the town centre and we are pleased that the homes we are building have been so well received."

Labatt House forms part of the first phase of development and three additional apartment blocks have since been released.

These are scheduled for completion between February 2022 and January 2023.

The wider development will also include a restaurant, bar and micro-brewery, as well as additional funding for improvements to neighbouring Central Park.

Bellway will also stump up £4.3 million towards local infrastructure and facilities as part of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) agreed with the council.

In February, councillors authorised powers to issue a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire the former DA1/Talk of the Town nightclub – located at the northern end of the scheme closer to the town centre.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said the powers would only be used as a last resort.

No further details have been confirmed about negotiations and progress with the CPO for the former nightclub building.

However, the former brewery had been derelict for 12 years before the builder purchased the site for redevelopment.

The buildings will range from four to eight storeys in height and will comprise a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Prices range from £187,995 to £334,995.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford