PROPERTY
THE PROPERTY MARKET IN KENT IS THRIVING
Online property portal , Zoopla has carried out some important research , and has determined that Kent has experienced growth in property prices of just over 4.5 per cent over the past two years . This is one of the highest property price growths in the country – only London beats Kent on the rise .
So , what is the reason behind Kent ’ s thriving property market ? It is partly down to the county itself ; Kent has a reputation as being somewhere that families can enjoy fresh air and with its excellent schools and plenty of open green land as well as plenty to do , it has everything that anyone could need .
Its location helps too . Close enough to London that it can take less than 20 minutes on a train from some locations – even the further flung spots in Kent have direct lines straight to the capital – without having to actually live in the big smoke itself , it ’ s ideal for commuters who work in the city but want somewhere a little greener to come home to . Those London commuters are a big reason for the hike in prices in Kent ; people who used to live in London but who are now choosing to move out to the surrounding counties are choosing Kent .
Kent is also the closest county to continental Europe , and heading off to France and beyond on holiday is easy from Dover or Folkestone using the ferry , Eurotunnel or Eurostar .
With Kent ’ s high employment rates , infrastructure , development plans ( including 9,800 new houses planned each year ), location and the quality of living here , it is no wonder that house prices don ’ t seem as though they will fall any time soon .
CHARTWAY GROUP AND ORBIT TO DELIVER NEW HOMES IN HEADCORN
Orbit and leading Kent-based developers , Chartway Group , have signed a joint venture to deliver 220 new homes on a prime site at Ulcombe Road in Headcorn .
Due for completion in 2023 , the £ 65 million development will offer 132 market sale homes from Chartway ’ s residential brand , Westerhill Homes , offering a range of one- , two- , three- and four-bedroom homes . Orbit will deliver 88 affordable homes – 55 for rent and 33 for shared ownership , including six bungalows .
Ian Savage , CEO at Chartway Group said : “ This is a key development in our partnership with Orbit and will offer a huge range of choice for homebuyers . Headcorn is a village close to our headquarters and we ’ re looking forward to starting on site and building quality new homes with the latest in modern technology and energy efficiency .”
Commenting on the agreement , Clive Astall , land and new business director at Orbit said : “ We are very pleased to secure this site in the lovely village of Headcorn to deliver much needed affordable homes in the area .”
“ We are looking forward to working with Chartway Group to build the new homes and jointly sell those for market sale . They have the potential to generate £ 7 million for Orbit to reinvest in the continued provision of affordable homes in the future .”
With detailed planning , construction on site will start at the end of the summer after ecology enabling works are complete .
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