Communities secretary Eric Pickles has announced a new development corporation has been launched to help co-ordinate and kick-start work on Ebbsfleet Garden City.

The corporation aims to tackle some of the problems surrounding the development, acting as the local planning authority and working with councils to co-ordinate investment.

Pickles, also announced Michael Cassidy CBE, former chairman of the City of London Property Investment Board, would head up the new Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.

Pickles said: '?Under the last administration progress at Ebbsfleet stalled and with it so too did the development of thousands of new homes for families.

'This government is unlocking that potential. With £200m government backing and the set up of a development corporation to drive forward Ebbsfleet there is nothing to hold back plans on paper becoming real homes and communities.

'?Locally led development is the key to unlocking growth and creating the places and communities that people actively want to be a part of. Today I am pleased to appoint Michael Cassidy as chairman of the development corporation that will work with local people to develop Ebbsfleet and grow the garden city in the way that is right for the local area.?'

Pickles has launched a consultation on the plans, including views on what planning powers it will be granted and what geographical area it should operate in.

The Government said that despite stalling for decades, the Ebbsfleet development could deliver 15,000 homes.