Dartford is not on track to deliver its targeted number of houses because ‘infrastructure should come first’, according to the leader of the council.

In 2006 land was identified to supply up to 17,300 homes to be built in the borough by 2026.

In a report that will go to Cabinet next week, it summarises that there is sufficient land for the next five years but the town is behind on delivering the houses.

Councillor Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Council, told News Shopper they were behind on reaching that number but it wasn’t concerning.

He said: “Infrastructure must come first: we need health and roads. That is why the Lower Thames Crossing was such a big deal for our town.

“Residents are always concerned about new houses but we want them to know we share the same concerns.

“We must grow, we know that because people want to live here, but I am not worried that we are behind.

“We must deliver a five year land supply report to the Government so we keep control, but we are working slowly to make sure there are schools and health services for the amount of people.”

A report to be discussed by the council's cabinet next week reads: “House building has increased in the Borough significantly. However future supply calculations are not straightforward and take into account a range of factors including past under-delivery.”

For the year to April 2017, it totalled 1,162 dwellings. By 2022, it is projected that there will be another 6,934 houses.

It will take a calculated 5.33 years for target number of houses to be built.

A total of 79 per cent of homes have been built on brownfield sites.

Plans to regenerate Dartford Town Centre and the housing project at Ebbsfleet make up some of those homes.

Cllr Kite said: “We want people in the town centre because they can be part of the regeneration and would be close to the station for commutes, of course I know they might have a car as well but they might not always use it.

“Our problems stem from the M25. We have plans for new schools and I am not worried about policing by I am concerned about health.”

The deliverable housing land supply is confirmed as 5.33 years as assessed against achievement of the full ‘up to’ 17, 300 housing figure identified in the Core Strategy.