Work to deliver 250 homes, a GP surgery and a business park on the outskirts of Canterbury is set to begin in days.

The Hoplands Farm development in Hersden, which will be spread across a 71-acre site off Island Road, will include one of the county’s biggest village greens.

A children’s nursery, dentist and engineering apprenticeship centre for Canterbury College students will also be built at the site, which is opposite the original Hersden housing estate.

Developer Mark Quinn - the man behind the £95 million project - is looking forward to seeing the first bricks laid.

“It’s just us who are actually taking action and building in the district,” he said.

“This is not just going to be of benefit to the people living in the new homes - it will also be a big boost for those already living in the area.

“As it stands, they have to travel into Canterbury to get food but they soon won’t have to.

"We’ve got a restaurant and takeaway interest at the site, and a grocery store of similar size to a Sainsbury’s Local will be coming.”

Despite the land not being earmarked in the Local Plan blueprint and the application being recommended for refusal by planning officers, the scheme was given the green light by councillors last year.

New roads will be laid before construction work on the retail, business and accommodation buildings start.

The 250 homes, which will range from two-to five-bedroom, will be built by Redrow - the same firm Quinn Estates put to pen to paper with for the Herne Bay Golf Course scheme, which is currently in progress.

About 55% of the Hoplands Farm site - which is near to Stodmarsh Nature Reserve - will be green space.

It will have designated village green status - giving it the highest form of protection from development in decades to come.

“It’s one I can be proud of when it’s all completed,” Mr Quinn added.

“Kent Wildlife Trust is over moon with it all as we have really considered the green spaces.”

The appreciation for natural areas is what made Cllr Ashley Clark a big supporter of the scheme, which is envisaged to be completed by 2024.

He said: “If work has got you tensed up you can go relax and appreciate nature.

"It improves physical and mental welfare for our community, therefore it is absolutely vital.

“Unlike the sardine tin mentality of other planners who want to pack in as many homes as possible, Mark Quinn’s development was well thought through.

“I urge all developers to consider the village green option.

“It doesn’t mean we are going to automatically give permission, as the plans as a whole have to be a high quality - but it is a great option for developers to think of.”