Developers of the long-awaited plans to build 188 homes in Lowfield Street, Dartford, have said construction is "imminent" after pressure from councillors.

Cllr Jonathon Hawkes, Labour leader on Dartford Council, told News Shopper he fears a "Tesco v.2" situation is looming for the plans.

Supermarket giant Tesco had been set to build a store on the street for 12 years before pulling out - much to the disappointment of residents and business owners.

Now Cllr Hawkes says he is having similar worries about the promise of a development on Lowfield Street, after 16 months of hearing "absolutely nothing" since planning permission was granted to developer Meyer Homes.

In a question tabled at a council meeting on Monday night, the council's Labour group asked why no updates had been given by Meyer Homes.

"Dartford residents are desperate for that site to be developed," he said.

He added there had been a "wall of silence" from Meyer Homes since planning permission was granted in March 2017, with no one at the council being given any updates.

"The car park next to Central Park has been closed off for six months and absolutely nothing has happened," Cllr Hawkes told News Shopper.

A spokeswoman from Meyer Homes insisted construction is due to start very soon, after consultations on the provision of affordable housing within the development.

She said: “Meyer Homes have been working in conjunction with the Planning Officers at Dartford Borough Council on the 1st Reserved Matters Application which will enable the construction of the much needed Affordable Housing element.

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

When the regeneration scheme was approved, it was hailed by councillors as "a new lease of life" for the street.

The first phase of regeneration is expected to be completed by 2019.