This is what the first set of Northern Arc homes in Burgess Hill will look like

Countryside Properties UK will be building the first 460 homes at the Freeks Farm area of the site, Homes England has announced.

The new homes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable, will be a mix of apartments and homes from one to four bedrooms.

Homes England is also to invest an additional £63million to the site, where up to 3,500 new homes will be constructed.

The cash boost, which comes from the Government’s Land Assembly Fund, will allow the construction of key infrastructure such as roads, a bridge, landscaping, drainage and utility works for the eastern and western ends of the site, enabling 1,250 homes to be built, said a spokesman.

Countryside will start building the first phase of the homes in March 2020, on the east of the site, a spokesman said. From 2023 the centre of the site will then be developed, providing over 2,250 further homes.

Stephen Kinsella, executive director for Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing accelerator we’re using our land, money, powers and influence to make homes happen in the places they are most needed.

“This funding boost, alongside the appointment of the first developer, represents further great progress for the Northern Arc.

“We can now make move quickly towards starting on site and constructing quality new homes and facilities for the local community.”

Minister of State for Housing Kit Malthouse MP said: “Burgess Hill