The chief executive of the first garden city to be built in 100 years says the project has had a "remarkable year" after it faced a scrutiny committee at Dartford Council.

Councillors were hearing updates on progress with Ebbsfleet Garden City.

Paul Spooner, interim CEO at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC), said: “It's been a truly remarkable year for the garden city as we have exceeded the 600 target for the number of starts on new homes – compare this to the previous year when there was just 60-starts on site and you see a picture of rapid development taking shape.

“Our development partners are confident of delivering 5,100 new homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City by 2021 as we head to the overall target of up to 15,000.”

The EDC, which was set up to help speed up the pace of delivery of homes in the garden city, says 614 homes were started over the past 12 months.

The first primary school, Cherry Orchard, will open in September, 18 months after being given planning permission, and work will start in the summer on a new £14m bridge linking Springhead Park with Ebbsfleet International Station.

The garden city's first pub and restaurant will open in September.

Planners have approved a further 223 homes on two sites at the garden city, 97 of which will be affordable.

Councillor Jonathon Hawkes, chairman of the scrutiny committee, said: “It is important with a project such as this that scrutiny is applied and tough questions are asked not just for people moving in but existing residents in the borough.

“Our role is to make sure there is a benefit in the long run and whilst there is still a long way to go but the progress so far is welcome."