by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Alan Cherry, founder and chairman of Countryside Properties and a key player in the regeneration of Medway and North West Kent, has died after losing his battle with cancer. He was 76.

Mr Cherry, who was awarded the CBE for his services to housing and regeneration, grew up in the urgan sprawl of Dagenham and was determined to create good places for people to live. He was a leader in the creation of sustainable communities.

His business was involved in the widely-admired residential development on St Mary's Island, Chatham, as well as Greenwich Millennium Village.

Mr Cherry played an active role in Kent and Medway business life. He chaired the Kent Thameside Economic Board and Medway Economic Partnership, and was a board member of Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership, a member of Thames Gateway Parklands High Level Strategy Group and of the Medway Renaissance Board.

Before establishing Countryside Properties, he founded estate agency Bairstow Eves, and for some years was its managing director.

He established Countryside Properties in 1958, but did not become a full-time developer until 1971.

In 1972 he floated Countryside Properties on the London Stock Exchange and it remained a quoted company until, with his sons Graham and Richard, he completed a management buyout in 2005.

He spent many hours explaining his vision to politicians and decision-makers to help them shape policy.

He pioneered the integration of affordable homes within a sustainable community and believed they should not be outwardly different from other types of home.

He was a member of the Government's Urban Task Force, the Duke of Edinburgh's Inquiry into British Housing, the Inner City Commission, a Past National President of the Home Builders Federation and chairman of the New Homes Marketing Board.

He left school at 15 and studied part-time before qualifying as a chartered surveyor. During his National Service in the Corps of Royal Engineers, he was selected for Officer Cadet training and gained a commission. He believed his National Service experience did much to develop his character and leadership skills.

He was married to Fay. His sons Graham and Richard will continue his legacy as members of Countryside's management team.