The initial groundworks on the first phase of a redevelopment which will ultimately provide 236 new affordable homes for a social housing provider are almost complete.

The energy-efficient Golding Homes development at Shepway in Maidstone will also include a vibrant new shopping area.

This week, Cllr Simon Wales (Lib Dem), the Maidstone Borough Council cabinet member for housing and homelessness, visited the site.

He said: “This is one of the first major regeneration projects that I’ve seen around the borough. I was here about six months ago for the first dig of the spade. It’s remarkable what’s been achieved.

“But, more than that, I think it’s about building a community and it’s just pleasing to hear about how many things have been going on in working with local schools, because they are going to be part of the community once it’s been built.”

Jon Baldwin, development manager at Golding Homes, said: “We’re delighted Cllr Wales has taken the time to visit. So much has been going on and we continue to make good progress.

“Over the last few months, our regeneration team has been meeting with residents in phase 2 to discuss the process of their move and the support we’ll provide.”

Phase 1 of the total £60m project saw the demolition of 39 homes in Cambridge Crescent which had been built in the 1950s.

They will be replaced by 119 new homes, including 91 flats and 28 houses, with completion due in early 2026.

Two further phases will see 76 more homes demolished and replaced with another 117 properties.

This week, leading figures in the housing industry met with Maidstone council to set out local plans to urgently address the national housing shortage.

Despite recent research indicating MBC has built more affordable homes than any other area in the county, the council said it recognised more needs to be done to address the pressing needs of residents.

Of particular concern locally is the increasing need for temporary accommodation for those affected by homelessness in the borough, costing the council around £4m in the current fiscal year.

During the meeting between local housing industry leaders and Cllr Wales, discussions indicated a “perfect storm” of factors contributing to the crisis including political change, planning reform, budget pressure, construction price increase and a slow-down in house sales.

Cllr Wales said: “Poor quality housing is linked to poor health, which in turn leads to increases on other public sector costs and services, so the sooner we can move residents out of temporary accommodation into permanent homes the better for our communities as a whole, as well as those residents directly affected.”

It was agreed a flexible approach was needed from all partners, as well as clearer communications from the housing sector around practical solutions and the benefits of new home development to help build public consensus and support.

Cllr Wales added: “We’ve made great strides as a council to address the housing shortage in the borough but the work is not done until every resident has access to safe, affordable housing.

“It’s encouraging to see the sense of commitment and shared responsibility across the housing industry evident at this meeting; we firmly believe that working together in this way will help to address this urgent issue more quickly and effectively.”

Those at the event included senior council officers and representatives from organisations including The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Golding Homes, West Kent Housing Association, Bellway, Fernham Homes, Martin Arnold Associates, Red Loft, and DHA Planning.