Work on a new 42-home estate in Whitstable lauded for its environmental credentials is set to start in February.

Developers put forward plans for 23 houses and 19 apartments on land sandwiched between the old and new Thanet Ways, near the Long Reach roundabout.

Now, they have revealed the majority of the homes will be affordable.

Among a raft of eco-friendly benefits, the houses will be fitted with solar panels, and there will be charging points for electric vehicles in all allocated parking spaces.

The original plans were approved by city councillors in March this year after they applauded the scheme’s eco-friendly features.

Developers Orbit Homes have now submitted a bid to vary the conditions to change the location of the affordable homes.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “We want to create a thriving community which meets the needs of local people, which is why we have submitted a variation of conditions application for the site on Thanet Way.

“The development will now be more affordable, consisting of 29 shared ownership homes and 13 properties available for affordable rent.

“The new homes have air source heat pumps and solar panels, which means they will be cheaper to run than most properties and will feature electric vehicle charging points.

“Work is set to start on the site in February 2023 and the development will be completed in early 2024.”

Cllr Nick Eden-Green described the scheme as a “considerable advance on any other development we have had” in terms of “modern insulation and eco-dwelling standards” at a meeting in March.

Plans show there will be 46 parking spaces to serve the 23 houses, and 20 to cater for the 19 apartments - with nine visitor spaces also provided.

There will be one main access route into the estate off the Old Thanet Way.

It is close to a development of 28 homes in Montpelier Avenue, which was approved last year.