The completion date of a new Rainham estate has been pushed back from its original November launch. 

New Green, formerly known as Napier and New Plymouth House, will provide a total of 197 homes. 

These are to be split between 126 affordable properties, plus 71 available to buy under a shared ownership scheme. 

Part of the council’s £1 billion 12 Estates programme, run in partnership with Wates Residential, bidding was opened up last month for those on the housing register. 

Residents who were moved to allow for its redevelopment already had a right to return to one of the affordable homes. 

While a November completion date was pencilled in at the time, the council has now confirmed the work is due to be finished on December 5. 

Cllr Paul McGeary, cabinet member for housing, told the Recorder when bidding opened: "Essentially, we will need to build this out as quickly as possible, because the housing need in the borough is so great, and increasing." 

Council leader Cllr Ray Morgon added the estate would “provide much-needed homes for our residents who have been patiently waiting to return to the site, as well as help to reduce some of the demand on our housing register”.