The 1,180 homes development, formally known as Cheeseman’s Green, was the first site in England to sign up for the Government’s Get Britain Building programme and received £2.3m to fund vital infrastructure.

Crest will build the housing scheme in 14 phases, with phase one, which will be known as Stour Meadows, consisting of 140 two and three bedroom cottages and four bedroom family homes.

Planning permission has recently been granted for a further 245 units in phase two, and Crest Nicholson intends to submit planning permission for phase three’s homes in early 2014.

The first phase of development will provide a 1km access road linking the development to the A2070, and is due to be completed by the end of 2013.

Stephen Stone, Chief Executive of Crest Nicholson, said:  “Building much needed new housing in partnership with the public sector is an essential objective for us, and the scale of this site makes it a significant addition to the local housing market.”