A major development site in Folkestone, set to have more than 70 new homes, has received a government cash injection to kick start development.

Around £1 million has been set aside to start work on 77 new homes on land behind Biggins Wood Road after plans were approved by planning officers last year.

Biggins Wood, as well as the recently approved new seafront homes at Princes Parade in Hythe, will benefit from Home England’s Accelerated Development fund grant to the tune of almost £3 million.

Homes England is providing the grant to accelerate the building programme across both sites.

The remaining £2 million will be dedicated to the seafront development.

Cllr David Monk, leader of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), said: "Our proposals will bring new life to both these sites and provide much-needed family homes for local residents. It’s encouraging to receive this endorsement from government who share our view that these ambitious developments are important for the district and should proceed without delay.

"At Biggins Wood, we are maximising the use of brownfield land and at Princes Parade we are making use of a dormant, contaminated site. Both developments will provide welcome opportunities for local companies during the construction phase.

"The grants mean we can start work sooner and will provide an important boost to the local economy quicker than expected."

The plans include 23 affordable homes within in the total of 77 homes proposed for the 10-acre site off Caesar’s Way in Cheriton.

FHDC, then Shepway District Council, purchased the derelict land for £1.5 million in 2016 to deliver on its promise for 'much needed new homes and jobs for local people'.

The previous developers intending to build on the site had already had the plans approved by the the district planning committee, but the council said it took the decision to buy the land because previous efforts to build there had 'failed to deliver its intended use'.

It was originally hoped the project would begin last year, but the new money is now set to help get it underway. There is currently no start date for the work.

Further permission was granted more recently for 6000 sq ft of workspace, with 49 commercial units and two office blocks forming part of the wider area of Shearway Business Park.

The industrial estate would be located to the north of the site overall and sandwiched between the M20 and the housing development on the southern side.

It would be accessed off Caesars Way and have 127 car parking spaces for industrial units, 14 lorry parking spaces and 49 spaces for offices.