The first residents are expected to move into new homes around the Conningbrook Lakes next month - but bosses are remaining tight-lipped about eye-catching plans for a lakeside restaurant.

Developers are building 300 homes around the picturesque lakes next to the Julie Rose Stadium off Willesborough Road in Ashford.

Show homes at the development opened earlier this year and bosses are now preparing to hand over the keys to the first residents next month.

Funds from the developers have gone into the creation of the country park, which opened in September 2015.

Cash will also go into facilities for new sport facilities at the park as the site develops.

Earlier this year, Shepherd Neame confirmed it is in talks about opening a new lakeside pub at the site, but the brewery did not provide any further details when asked by KentOnline.

Twenty-six of the first 300 homes have been built, with 14 reserved.

Developers are offering a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties.

Cllr George Koowaree (Lib Dem) represents the North Willesborough ward, which takes in the Conningbrook Lakes.

He said: “The houses are going up very quickly. I do not want to see the ethos of the country park change.

“It must still be used by the public for people to enjoy.”

The project is being built next to fields earmarked for the 'Large Burton' project, which is being proposed by development company Quinn Estates.

Homes around Conningbrook Lakes are being erected on the other side of the railway line, but just a stone’s throw away from the 'Large Burton' site.

The Conningbrook Lakes site had been owned by the Brett Group which used the plot for quarrying materials, but last year directors from Clarion Housing Group completed a takeover.

The company has already delivered the Bakers Court site in the town centre.

Prices at Conningbrook Lakes start at £294,999 for a two-bed home with three beds from £355,000 and four beds from £515,000.

In Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan, phase two of the Conningbrook Lake development could see 170 homes built.

The second phase - which would front Willesborough Road - would not be occupied until junction 10a is completed.

A planning application for the 'Large Burton' project is yet to be submitted, but is expected soon after two public consultations were held.