Work to build nearly 550 new homes is set to finally begin after a fire broke out at the site.

The town centre development in Lowfield Street, Dartford, has been earmarked for regeneration since 2001 but work is only just starting after plans for the area ran into a number of problems.

Originally the land was bought by supermarket giant Tesco which wanted to build a new store.

But after 11 years of pressure to build the 86,000sq ft supermarket, they backed out of the project and sold the land to a private investor, Meyer Homes in 2015.

The developer brought plans forward and invited housebuilder Bellway to be a part of the programme so construction work could begin.

However, after the fire broke out last Thursday AUG 2 which destroyed four derelict shops, the damaged buildings will need to be demolished before construction work can start.

The blaze is now being treated as suspicious.

The development will include 548 modern-styled apartments, shops, a café and a new brewery quarter built in the area, which is named after the former Dartford Brewery Co Ltd, which use to trade on the site.

Meyer Homes has closed down a car park near the site as part of the development preparations but has committed to providing new spaces once it is completed.

Cllr Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council, said: “We met with Bellway bosses a few weeks ago and it’s clear they understand the chequered history of the site and just how much we were all let down by Tesco.

“Their business style seems entirely different.

“They want to get on with things and get started.

“They seem the real deal but of course action will speak louder than words.

“I have explained to them the importance of keeping residents informed about what they are doing.

“Of course, everyone in town had our confidence knocked by Tesco’s constant failure to deliver but in truth the team from Meyer and Bellway have been pretty efficient since they took over.

“My colleagues and I were on their case relentlessly because we want this scheme to be top-quality and that means getting the details right - something we have made clear to Bellway.

“I’m particularly pleased that they seem to grasp that the location of this site next to a wonderful park deserves something quite special. I think many people understandably regard Lowfield Street as one of the tests that what we have been saying about regeneration is actually going to happen.

“In the background, we may have delivered a huge number of improvements like the new Fairfield and the Edwardian restoration of Central Park but I completely understand why people see Lowfield Street as the signal that things are under way. It’s been a huge amount of hard work and some real highs and lows over the years but I think Dartford can now finally look forward to progress.”

Heath ward councillor Richard Wells said: “We have all lobbied, argued and fought hard for the day when real work begins on Lowfield Street and that day seems to have arrived. “It’s important for all town residents because people deserve closure after the damage down by Tesco and to move on with something positive.”

Martine Bridge, spokesman for Meyer Homes, added: “We have been working in conjunction with the planning officers at Dartford council on the first reserved matters application which will enable the construction of the much-needed affordable housing element.

“We have been working to instruct and carry out all the surveys and investigative works required to enable a start, these are now concluded and a physical start on site is imminent.”