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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