New designs have been revealed to replace homes destroyed by a huge gas explosion.

One property collapsed and three others were damaged by the blast in Willesborough, near Ashford and plans have now been submitted for four new modern homes.

Seven people were injured in the explosion, which hit residents at 13 to 19 Mill View at just before 8am on May 4, 2021.

Neighbouring properties and houses in the immediate surrounding area were evacuated by emergency services and residents were taken to an emergency relief centre that was quickly set up in St Mary the Virgin Church.

It was a full eight hours before any were allowed back into their homes, with those closest to the epicentre of the blast kept away overnight.

Following the explosion, five victims were taken to the William Harvey Hospital and two taken to London with what would later be described as "life-changing" injuries.

All seven survived but one house had been completely destroyed and the others were structurally damaged beyond saving.

Subsequent investigations determined that the explosion had been caused by a leak in a portable gas heater at number 15, which bore the worst of the shockwave and ensuing fire.

In the aftermath, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) pledged to offer alternative accommodation for those in the affected houses – three of which were council owned – while the buildings themselves would be demolished.

Now, the council has submitted an application to allow two three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom homes to be constructed on the cleared site.

A council spokesman said: "The proposed homes will be built to a high standard, with a focus on energy efficiency, including solar panels on roofs.

"Measures have also been included that will help ‘future-proof’ the properties – straight stairs that would allow a stair-lift to be installed if required, and square shaped bathrooms so they could easily be converted into a wet room."

Ward member Liz Wright (Green) spoke out in support of the plans, saying the town "needs many more homes like this".

“I am very keen on the delivery of genuinely affordable housing so I’m pleased to see that the housing team has brought forward this plan to re-provide the homes lost so tragically on the site," she added.

"I understand that the council is trying to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing and these homes will help to replace numbers."

Once the planning application has been validated it will be visible for the public to view online and those in neighbouring properties will be consulted to respond to the planning application.