Work to transform the former gasworks site at Deal’s Cannon Street can start as soon as planning permission is granted thanks to a £2million cash boost from the government.

The funds have been awarded to developers Mildvalley and Statelane by the Homes and Communities Agency’s Kickstart scheme to get construction back on track in Britain.

Andy Johnstone, of Mildvalley Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to be one of the 152 schemes supported nationwide out of the original 270 shortlisted for this funding.

“After remediation of the old gasworks site in Deal, the funding will help deliver 69 new homes for the area with much needed community services including a doctor’s surgery and a community centre.”

A lack of infrastructure at the north end of Deal topped concerns raised by local residents and councillors at a planning meeting at Deal Town Hall.

But the project passed strict value-for-money tests applied by the government as part of the selection process and the quality of the development had to be scrutinised to ensure it was up to scratch.

Mr Johnstone has already lowered the number of properties in the plans to accommodate much needed extra parking in the complex.

More than two-thirds of the funding is expected to be repaid, with less than a fifth consisting of direct grant to support developers, and the rest for affordable homes.

Jim Cronk, former Deal mayor and leader of the town council’s controlling Labour group, said: “This Kickstart funding is great for Deal and for the Cannon Street project as long as planning permission is granted."