Work has begun on a sweeping £150 million housing estate – as bosses aim to welcome residents onto the site next year.

Builders have started clearing the land for construction at a 57-acre plot earmarked for 450 homes off Greenhill Road in Herne Bay.

Properties on the site - dubbed Oxenden Park - are set to go on the market in June, with developer Bellway expecting the first batch to be occupied by the middle of 2023.

The firm’s sales director, Mark Harrop, told KentOnline: “This is an ambitious project that will create an attractive community and bring in significant investment, while fulfilling the need for more housing.

“Oxenden Park will offer the appealing prospect of living close to the coast, being just a short drive from the beach.

“The site’s location will be particularly attractive to families, as it is within walking distance of Briary Primary School and Herne Bay High School.”

The project has been heavily delayed in recent years, having originally been earmarked for work to begin in 2019.

Hollamby Estates, the company that originally drew up the plans, was given the green light by Canterbury City Council in October 2020 to go ahead with the project.

It later struck a deal to sell the site, previously called Thornden Wood Village, to house-builder Bellway Homes, which has since received the authority’s thumbs up for its detailed proposals.

“The homes at Oxenden Park will be traditional in appearance, featuring a red-brick exterior influenced by existing properties in the town,” Mr Harrop added.

“The development has been designed to reflect the character of the surrounding area, with low-rise three storey apartment buildings and two-storey houses.”

As part of the scheme, Briary Primary School will be given new sports pitches, playing fields, an improved car park and an enhanced drop-off area for parents.

A community building, pitches and a hard-surfaced multi-games area, all of which will be managed by Herne Bay Roller Hockey Club, will also be built.

Meanwhile, Bellway has been bound to fork out a total of £3.5 million for investment in nearby medical facilities, schools and nature projects.

The homes – 30% of which will be categorised as “affordable” – will consist of one- and two-bedroom flats and two- to four-bedroom houses.