Kent has so much to offer house-hunters that it is no wonder that the new homes market there is currently very active, with many being built and strong demand from buyers.
The county combines its natural riches of countryside and coastline with some charming and vibrant towns and exceptional transport links, all of which have become a major focal point for people wanting to move out from the capital to get more private space yet still be able to travel in for work and pleasure.
We take a look at just some of what’s going on from housebuilders in Kent right now.
Ryarsh Park
Redrow is launching five new apartments at Ryarsh Park, close to the historic market town of West Malling. Each has two double bedrooms, an en suite to the principal bedroom and a separate bathroom. Customers can personalise their new apartment via the MyRedrow platform, where extras and upgrades can be selected during the build.
Naysha Turner, acting area sales manager, commented: “The scale of these apartments is absolutely incredible, with each room generously proportioned and flooded with natural light. We have been looking forward to launching these two-bedroom apartments and expect them to be hugely popular with the first-time buyer market. They are in a beautiful location too surrounded by the Kent countryside, but with the convenience of both West Malling and Maidstone being close by.”
The apartments are being sold from the sales centre at Temple Wharf, Redrow’s development along the River Medway in Strood, and prices start at £284,995. Find out more about Ryarsh Park apartments from Redrow Homes.
Albany Walk at Holborough Lakes
Just launched is the final phase of homes at the picturesque waterside neighbourhood of Holborough Lakes in the Medway Valley. Albany Walk features two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom coach houses and three- and four-bedroom houses phase with traditional, New England-style exteriors.
In all properties at Albany Walk, kitchens are modern and elegant, fully fitted with modern gloss units and equipped with high-specification integrated Bosch appliances. Bathrooms are complete with full height tiling contemporary white sanitaryware and polished chrome fixtures and fittings.
Towards the end of a 15-year project, they are part of a community with ample outside space, and access to numerous on-site amenities, among which are M&S Simply Food, Holbody gym, Benjamin Rabbit Nursery, Valley Invicta Primary School, and a village hall which is home to an active residents’ association who organises regular events.
Mary O’Sullivan, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Eastern Counties, commented: “Over the last decade we have taken this underutilised area of Kent and turned it into a flourishing community which people are enthused to talk about. We’ve had residents move within the development and recommend others to join them here. We’re thrilled to be bringing this last collection of homes to market and look forward to seeing this thriving neighbourhood fully complete next year.”
Find out more about Holborough Lakes from Berkeley Homes.
Boughton Park
In Boughton Monchelsea, just four miles south of Maidstone, Fernham Homes last weekend launched the second phase of its popular Boughton Park development, bringing 10 new three- and four-bedroom properties available to purchase off-plan. Combining modern interiors with architecture which will blend in with the local architecture, phase two will introduce six different, new house types, ranging from the semi-detached, three-bedroom ‘The Fairfield’ with its separate formal living room, to the detached ‘The Heverham’, which boasts four double bedrooms and a handy utility room. All come with allocated parking spaces – some with a car port – and boast landscaped front gardens and turfed rear gardens with Indian sandstone patios, as well as large bi-fold doors.
Prices starting from £385,000, with incentives available on selected plots. Find out more about Broughton Park from Fernham Homes.
Broadwater House
Clearview Developments recently announced the first homes available at Broadwater House in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The 19th century mansion, previously sub-divided into five units, will be completely refurbished and complemented by an extension that is in-keeping to create 14 tastefully designed one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. There will be many original features restored and new ones introduced in styles to reflect the property’s history.
With its own grounds and set in the heart of the High Weald AONB, the development is only a few minutes’ drive from the shops, restaurants, amenities and station of the town. Families will appreciate that Broadwater Down offers a choice of nearby highly-regarded state and private schools.
Director Jason Tema said: “With high demand for housing in the local area, it is our priority to find existing properties that can be transformed into modern homes for today’s discerning buyer. With Broadwater House, we want to create something equally special and are absolutely delighted to have been given planning permission. The property has true potential to be transformed into an attractive home for families and downsizers alike but also professionals, who seek access to good transport links.”
With completion due in Q1 2021, the first homes are priced from £450,000. Find out more at www.broadwaterhouse.com.
‘The Brookfield’ at The Maltings
Millwood Designer Homes specialises in vernacular-inspired house types, one that showcases this is ‘The Brookfield’ at The Maltings in delightful Biddenden. It is an attractive four-bedroom semi-detached property. Behind the smart black weatherboarding, the ground floor features a spacious breakfast/family/kitchen area, utility room, separate living and dining rooms, and en suites and fitted wardrobes to two of the bedrooms. It comes with landscaped front and rear gardens and an electronically operated single garage.
Jon Neville, architect at Millwood Designer Homes, commented: “These homes have been designed to take their character from traditional agricultural barn forms, incorporating black weatherboarding and large glazed openings. This ensures that the development sits comfortably within the surrounding landscape and provides an important gateway to the scheme.”
Prices at The Maltings start from £430,000.
‘The Frimley’ at Hawthornden
At its Hawthornden development in Yalding, Kent are a number of sympathetically designed properties that may make the ideal place for second-steppers to move to their ideal family home. ‘The Frimley’ is a three-bedroom end of terrace property which features an open-plan kitchen/dining area, garden room and a separate spacious living room, as well as three ample bedrooms with an en suite to the master bedroom.
Philip Brown, sales and marketing director at Millwood Designer Homes, said: “It’s no secret that the market has been a challenging place for those looking to upsize in the past, but it seems the recent lockdown has bought a positive change to the middle-market. With the financial bonuses of the Stamp Duty holiday and Help to Buy scheme available until early next year, second steppers have the perfect opportunity to upsize into a family home. At Hawthornden, our three-bedroom homes are all priced within the threshold and offer plenty of space to grow as a family.”
Prices at Hawthornden start at £460,000, with Help to Buy available on selected plots. Find out more at www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk.
Case study: Jack and Megan in Ashford
When Jack Weaver and Megan Winfield called in to the Victoria Point development in Ashford to check on the progress of their first property purchase together, little did Megan realise that Jack had another deal to seal.
On the premise of overseeing the finishing touches to their two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment, Jack – to the delight of Savills sales negotiator Pete Cronin, who was in on the secret – dropped down on one knee and proposed to Megan. They celebrated with a romantic dinner that evening, while planning their big day next year.
Jack, who works in financial services in Folkestone, and Megan, a teaching assistant in Ashford, are both first-time buyers in their early 20s.
He said: “We made an appointment to look at Victoria Point and we were instantly impressed with the development. We were offered a great selection of apartments before deciding on the two-bedroom apartment we have chosen to be our home.”
He said another major factor in the decision to purchase there was the way in which Ashford is developing: “Ashford Designer Outlet is amazing and there is so much happening around the area, in particular close to Victoria Point.”
David Hofton, sales and marketing director of developer Elevate Property Group, remarked: “This is our first marriage proposal at Victoria Point and I hope there will be many more! We have seen a surge in reservations recently since lockdown eased and more than 140 – 65% - of the 216 apartments are now sold.”
“Lockdown put outside space firmly in the spotlight plus the fact that many people will be working from home for the foreseeable future. Owners at Victoria Point can choose to work in their apartment or use the communal space of the Super Lounge and the outside areas, when weather permits.
Victoria Point offers a range of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with prices currently ranging from £142,500 to £355,000.
Find out more at www.elevatepropertygroup.co.uk.
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