The next phase of works for a 711-home town centre development is set to start next month.

Bellway London will begin demolition at the site off Lowfield Street, in Dartford, in May to allow 71 flats to be built as part of phase four of its Copperhouse Green project.

It will be knocking down a former nightclub and church with construction of the two adjoining, five-storey apartment blocks starting in July.

More than 250 homes have already been completed as part of the regeneration scheme at the site of a former brewery.

The development, which is due to be finished in 2028, is being built in five phases across 19 apartment blocks between Lowfield Street and Central Park.

The first two stages, comprising of 276 homes, are complete, and work is already under way on the third stage to build of 280 flats.

Emma Hamlett, sales director at Bellway London, said: "Copperhouse Green is a landmark development which is delivering much-needed new homes for Dartford while revitalising a previously derelict site in the heart of the town.

"We have reached a significant milestone after completing work on more than a third of the apartments across the entire site – with our construction team already preparing to begin work on the final two phases.

"Dartford’s town centre had been derelict for more than a decade before we started construction back in 2019 – and we aim to complete the transformation of this disused brownfield site into a vibrant and attractive neighbourhood within the next five years."

The scheme did come under some controversy last year as the council asked the developers to restrict what could be hung on balconies including "washing and bamboo screening."

Planning permission was originally granted for the scheme in September 2017 and the development was officially launched in January 2020.

Studio, one and two-bedroom apartments are currently available in Artisan Lodge and Delph Court, with prices starting from £204,995.

There are also plans to have a café and microbrewery once the whole scheme is complete.