Almost 600 new homes are on the way as work begins on Northfleet Embankment, following a deal between Homes England and Keepmoat Homes.

Keepmoat will purchase the 11.6 hectare brownfield site from Homes England for the residential development, which alongside 598 homes will include a new primary school, local amenities, open space and a fastrack bus connection. 224 of the homes will be affordable.

Homes England has undertaken extensive remediation work to prepare the land for development and, after working with key stakeholders Gravesham Borough Council and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, planning permission was granted last year.

The first homes are expected to be complete by May 2020, with the rest of the development expected to be complete by 2025. As part of the deal, Keepmoat has agreed to build the homes at an accelerated rate of over 100 units per year.

Stephen Kinsella, executive director for land at Homes England, said: “Getting homes built on public land is at the heart of our mission, so we’re delighted to see Northfleet Embankment now start on site. This was a complex site and the joint efforts of partners will now be rewarded with a high-quality development to meet the housing needs of local people.”

Tim Beale, chief executive of Keepmoat Homes said: “We are delighted to have completed this new deal with Homes England and are looking forward to starting on site at this transformational development in Northfleet, where we will create a thriving new community on the banks of the River Thames that is only 20 minutes from central London via Ebbsfleet International station.”

Housing minister Kit Malthouse said: “Not only does this deal deliver hundreds of much-needed homes, but it’s another step towards building a vibrant garden community on London’s doorstep. With a new school, transport links and green open spaces, it will be a place to live, learn, work and play for generations to come. This new deal is all part of our ambition to deliver 15,000 new homes in Ebbsfleet as we build more, better, faster.”