Crest Nicholson’s Cheeseman’s Green site in Ashford has become the first site in the UK to receive cash under the government’s new Get Britain Building Fund.

The Cheeseman’s Green site on the south east outskirts of Ashford has been granted £2.3 million of funding for the release of 100 new three- and four-bedroom family homes.

This will form the first phase of the scheme, which has planning consent for a new community of more than 1,000 new homes, alongside significant leisure and community facilities, including a primary school, healthcare facility, community centre, sports facilities and recreation areas.

The Homes and Communities Agency hopes the Get Britain Building Fund will bring forward the delivery of more than 15,000 new homes nationwide by the end of 2014.

Stephen Stone, chief executive of Crest Nicholson, said: “The construction sector is recognised as a real driver for recovery and growth, and continued investment in the industry is essential.

“With every £1 spent on building work estimated to generate £2.84 of wider economic activity, this funding allocation is not only great news in terms of the delivery of much needed new housing in the area, but will also inject a welcome boost into the local economy.

“Job creation is a key part of our business ethos, with apprentices making up almost 10% of our workforce, and with the Home Builders Federation stating that every home built creates 1.5 full-time jobs, plus up to four times that number in the supply chain, the value inherent in kick-starting the UK’s construction market should not be underestimated.”