NEW homes in the Thames Gateway housing development have been branded "monotonous and characterless" by a leading think-tank.

The report, by the Institute for Public Policy Research, says some potential residents are put off by the prospect of moving into affordable housing.

The development was granted £6bn of government investment in March last year.

It includes plans for 160,000 new homes over the next decade.

It spans more than 20 miles from south east London to Kent and Essex and aims to attract a broad range of people.

Researcher Jim Bennett said: "Although people want to be able to live in housing which is affordable they certainly don't want to live in something called affordable housing.

"People are put off by the idea of standardised developments without access to community services or communal green space."

The study included views from 56 east Londoners given in interviews and through focus groups.

Higher-income earners, all from Bexley and Lewisham, were not keen to move to the Thames Gateway, the report found.

Only areas with fast transport links and a strong cultural heritage would attract them.