AN £11.6 billion plan to bring 49,000 new jobs and 21,000 new homes to Kent Thameside has been officially unveiled.

The Thames Gateway Kent Partnership has launched the Area Investment Framework. It aims to make North Kent the best place to live in England in the next 20 years.

Gravesham and Dartford will be at the heart of the regeneration investment, with Ebbsfleet, North Dartford and Eastern Quarry near Bluewater among the major project sites.

The AIF covers Kent Thameside, Medway, Sheerness, the Isle of Sheppey and Sittingbourne, collectively creating up to 100,000 jobs and 50,000 new homes.

In Dartford, money will go towards public transport improvements from Fastrack and on the railway and the regeneration of the town centre, the Swanscombe Peninsula and Stone Castle.

Government minister for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, Lord Falconer, welcomed the project. He said: "As chairman of the Strategic Partnership, I am very optimistic for the future of both North Kent and the Gateway as a whole.

"The Government is committed to the regeneration of the Gateway as a priority. Together, we will create a new community building a bridge between London, the South East and Europe.

Private and public funding will provide the money, but £2.3 billion is still needed. The TGKP is hoping the government will be able to help bridge the gap.