A new partner has been announced to bring a major £1billion regeneration scheme to Purfleet.

Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited (PCRL) has announced that Swan Housing Association will be joining the company in the huge regeneration of the town.

The scheme will see 2,800 new homes built alongside a new train station, primary and secondary school as well as a new health centre.

John Synnuck, chief executive of Swan, said: "At Swan, we are committed to delivering our social purpose – providing homes and services to those who need them – and our ambition is to grow to owning and managing 20,000 homes by 2026 to really make an impact on meeting housing need.

"As a result, the opportunity presented by this project which will deliver 2,800 homes as well as transforming a key part of the Thames Estuary region, is one we are keen to take on.

"We are already delivering a range of town centre regeneration projects, including schemes in Laindon and Barking, and we are very much looking forward to working with our prospective joint venture partners and Thurrock Council to bring about this long awaited regeneration, which it is widely recognised local people want to see."

Urban Catalyst will be working as development managers with the two companies too in order to bring the Thames-side scheme to Purfleet.

Ken Dytor, Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban Catalyst, added: "By providing new homes and helping overhaul the town centre and rail station, Swan will help propel Purfleet to new heights as we work to create a new international arts and media centre in the town.

"PCRL can now progress the social and transport infrastructure that will underpin our place-making agenda."

Thurrock Council gave the plans cross party backing when they were proposed in summer of 2015 and with the addition of Swan, PCRL have made another leap forward in bring the regeneration to Purfleet.

Mark Coxshall, portfolio holder for regeneration at Thurrock Council, said: "This scheme is one of the most significant developments in Thurrock impacting on both existing and new residents.

"The new services and facilities currently absent in Purfleet will be achieved by developing the site in such a comprehensive way.

"This long awaited change will bring renewed energy to project and I look forward to working with Swan to now realise our ambitions get going at a pace in the coming months."