A council director has been appointed the new chief of the Government’s flagship Garden City development in Ebbsfleet.

Robin Cooper, Medway Council’s director of regeneration, community and culture, confirmed he would be leaving the town hall to take up the chief executive role at the new Ebbsfleet Garden City Urban Development Corporation.

Ministers have predicted that Ebbsfleet Garden City could deliver 15,000 local homes developed on brownfield land.

Chancellor George Osborne last year allocated £200m to the project, yet questions have recently been raised over its slow progress of delivery.

Cooper said: ‘It has been an immense privilege to work which such talented staff who devote themselves to serving the people of Medway every day. There is still much to do but we are well on the way to transforming the landscape with our regeneration programme.

‘Residents and businesses will see a real difference in the coming years. Medway has enormous potential and is in a good place to change for the better. I have enjoyed working here and wish Medway the very best for the future.’

Leader of the council, Cllr Rodney Chambers, added: ‘I have worked very closely with Robin over the years on a wide variety of projects.

‘He is leaving us for a very challenging role but Robin is no stranger to challenges and he has shown a determination and ability to move vital projects forward such as the regeneration of Rochester Riverside, the Rochester prison expansion and Chatham Waters as well as delivering on such important schemes like our community hubs and successful cultural programme of 30 days of festivals and events.’