Gateway Knowledge Alliance, made up of colleges, schools and universities, has been awarded the �2.2m government cash.

It will pay for an �800,000 training construction centre in Sittingbourne, as well as four smaller centres and three mobile units.

Plans for Kent include a masterplan for up to 2,000 new homes in Swale.

Primary school

South East England Development Agency (Seeda) said the scheme, for the Queenborough and Rushenden area, includes a new primary school, community and leisure facilities and open space.

The masterplan, before Swale Borough Council, is expected to be adopted in the summer.

A planning application has also been submitted by Kent County Council for the Rushenden link road between the new A249 and the regeneration area.

And Seeda said Aldi supermarket had signed up to be the first occupant of the 50-acre Neats Court development.