The shape of Sheppey is being changed – thanks to 100,000 cubic metres of surplus soil from the M2 Stockbury roundabout roadworks.

It is being dumped at Rushenden next to Thomsett Way as Homes England prepares the former industrial site for housing.

Details were announced in an update on the work during Swale council's Sheppey Area Committee on Wednesday.

The soil, imported from the M2 junction 5 flyover works, would otherwise have been tipped into landfill sites. It is being used to raise the level of the former steel rolling mill site by two metres so new homes won't face the risk of flooding.

The first phase of the Rushenden regeneration project has already been completed with new homes in Flanagan Avenue. Much work has been finished around the former Klondyke industrial estate which backs onto Queenborough Creek.

Chalk Wharf Road has been infilled and UK Power Networks has diverted high-voltage underground cables so the Klondyke and Twyford sites can be linked.

It had been hoped developers would have been found to convert the area into an upmarket marina like at St Mary's Island at Chatham. But none have so far come forward.

The former Twyford potteries site, which was used to make toilets, is making way for a new surface water pumping station. Many of the drainage pipes have already been laid and buried through the Environment Agency's anti-flood embankment.

The pumping station is being funded by Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund and will replace the existing Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board station which is more than 40-years old and no longer fit for purpose.

Members were told the new station was a "strategic infrastructure" needed to drain Southern Water’s surface water from Queenborough and Rushenden into The Swale. Without it, the town would be flooded.

It is being built by UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd. The 20-week long project is expected to be finished next month (October). A new overflow pond has been dug and timber fencing will be added.

Work is taking place on weekdays from 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.

Residents were warned: "At times there will be unavoidable noise and dust but the team will be keeping a close eye on this and during the period of very dry weather, a water bowser was deployed to keep dust to a minimum."

Re-levelling of the rolling steel mill site is expected to be completed by the end of this month. A new electricity sub-station is being built to provide power for the forthcoming mixed-use development.

Landscaping and footpaths will be added later.

Once complete, Homes England will undertake "soft-market testing" with a panel of approved housing developers to potentially "refresh" the original masterplan, which is seven years old, ready for next year.

Any complaints should be emailed to Cognition Land and Water at enquires@cognitionltd.com or call 01932 246600.