insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 167

PROPERTY New homes to target buyers in Sittingbourne More than £1 million will be invested in Sittingbourne as part of Redrow’s new Archers Park development. The award-winning house builder has detailed planning consent to build 223 ho mes on Velum Drive. The housing development will bring a raft of benefits to those already living in the area, as Redrow has pledged to invest in the local community. Kings Hill named one of best places in UK to raise a family Kings Hill has been named one of the best places in the UK to raise a family by the Daily Telegraph. Featuring a diverse choice of properties ranging from one-bedroom apartments to substantial four-bedroom family homes, there will be something for everyone at Archers Park. Buyers were given their first glimpse of what life could be like in a brand new Redrow home with the opening of a stunning show apartment this September. The newspaper cited schooling as a priority when families decide where to bring up their children, but added that other key requirements include good parks and playgrounds, child-friendly cafés, woodland walks, cycle paths and sports facilities. Kerry Jenkins, sales director for Redrow Homes (South East), says: “The additional benefits new housing can bring are often overlooked, including employment, support for local shops and services, plus the associated investment in the surrounding infrastructure. It described Kings Hill as a ‘safe, child-friendly environment’ and that ‘the sports facilities would be the envy of any community, while there are also high-achieving schools and a good network of safe cycle paths’. “In Sittingbourne, Redrow will be supporting schools, adult services, libraries, a community centre and sports. These measures will benefit people already living in the neighbourhood, along with those who buy our homes. It also said that homes at Kings Hill are highly sought after, a fact illustrated by the speed at which new houses sell. “With such a wide variety of homes available, Archers Park has something for almost every buyer and budget. We have a strong database of prospective purchasers and would encourage buyers to visit the development at the earliest opportunity to find out more about the homes available.” “Sales at Kings Hill remain buoyant and we have been told by purchasers that it is the sense of community here that appeals, enhanced by plenty of places to join in and become part of the community – such as our cricket ground and pavilion, sports park, David Lloyd and golf club,” said Susan Davies of Kings Hill New Homes. Public open space and a play area will form part of the development, which will include 67 affordable homes to meet local housing needs. “As you would expect, sales to young families are driven by the fact that we have two excellent schools at Kings Hill, with a third planned. Homeowners also comment that they feel they are in a safe and green environment with quality landscaping and great amenities. To be able to walk to work in the business park is also a bonus." Three brand new developments are currently underway at Kings Hill, all of which have show homes open to the public. Bellway’s Signature is a collection of 76 properties including two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, with prices currently ranging from £242,995 to £548,995. In addition, Crest Nicholson’s Woodland Place has current availability of three-bedroom houses from £310,000 and four-bedroom houses from £450,000; and Hillreed’s The Poppies, a development of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, all of which are new designs to Hillreed’s portfolio, start from £280,000. Set within acres of landscaped parkland close to shops, restaurants, cafés and leisure amenities, Kings Hill is a garden village with a very active community. There will be 156 homes for private sale, with current prices from £160,995 for a twobedroom apartment. Help to Buy equity loans are available and could reduce the initial cost of a twobedroom apartment to £128,796. The government-backed scheme makes homeownership easier to afford with the aid of an equity loan for up to 20% of the price. Customers buying in this way typically only need a 5% deposit, plus a 75% mortgage from their preferred lender. Crucially, the equity loan is interest-free for five years. Sittingbourne is ideally placed for access to the countryside, the coast or the capital as it’s within easy reach of the M2 and M20, while trains from the local station offer journey times of just over an hour to London. The town centre has a thriving high street and with a good choice of schools in the area, Archers Park is well suited to those with children. For more information, call 01795394019 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/archerspark. www.kings-hill.com 167