Plans to breathe new life into the Neats Court site on the Isle of Sheppey have received a boost following confirmation that work is due to start on a new development that will help to invigorate the local economy.

The site is part of the larger Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration programme being spearheaded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) with the support of Swale Borough Council. The HCA owns a number of sites totalling in excess of 13 hectares which have been earmarked for the delivery of new homes, employment opportunities and community facilities.

Developer LXB Retail Properties intends to start on the construction of a new Morrisons food store as well as a petrol filling station, fast food outlet and further retail and trade units by mid-September. The Morrisons store could open its doors to the public as early as Summer 2013 and will create 300 jobs, with the remainder of this scheme generating an additional 150-200 employment opportunities.

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Work is also continuing on the HCA-owned residential sites along Rushenden Road. Planning consent was recently granted for demolition and site preparation works for the 250 homes that will comprise phase one. This work is due to start in the next few months and will be completed by Spring 2013. During this time the HCA will begin the process of searching for a development partner to build the new homes.

Nick Young, Senior Development Manager, at the HCA, said: "The regeneration of these redundant sites represents a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the Isle of Sheppey’s growth. Both the commercial and residential schemes are backed by Swale Borough Council and the local community and have the potential to act as a catalyst for further investment in the area."

The selection of a preferred developer and the submission of planning application are scheduled to take place in the summer 2013. It is anticipated that construction of the new homes will get under way in mid-late 2014.

(CD)