THE ex-leader of the Royal Borough has landed himself a top job delivering a ‘garden city’ in North Kent.

Former council leader Simon Dudley has been appointed as chairman of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) for four years – to which Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed his suitability.

The EDC was established by the Government in 2015 to deliver the new Ebbsfleet ‘Garden City’ in Kent.

The project, which combines countryside environments and urban living, is set to deliver thousands of new homes and create 30,000 job opportunities.

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Mr Dudley will be taking over the role from Michael Cassidy CBE, who served for six years as chairman.

According to the EDC job description, a chairman earns £28,000 a year for one day per week.

Simon Dudley said: “The creation of Ebbsfleet Garden City is a fantastic opportunity to grow a new community and business location where London meets the Garden of England.

“Building on a series of brownfield sites in one of the best-connected locations in England, we aim to deliver a vibrant new city of up to 15,000 new homes.

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“I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed by the Prime Minister to one of the most successful regeneration projects in the country and I can’t wait to start.”

The Government’s website says Mr Dudley was “instrumental” in advancing the Royal Borough’s local plan and establishing two joint ventures with Countryside Properties and Cala Homes as part of the regeneration of Maidenhead town centre during his time as council leader from 2016 to 2019.