We have formally acquired two further sites in Kent. The first is a 93-acre site in on the outskirts of Ramsgate in Thanet, and the second is a 23-acre site in Rainham. The two sites have outline consent for up to 987 homes, with a combined gross development value (GDV) of £369 million.
Manston Green, Thanet
Our new 93-acre site in Thanet has outline consent for up to 785 homes, with 30% available as affordable housing. It is the first site we have acquired in the Thanet district and is adjacent to the former Manston Airport which closed in 2014.
The site is split into three parcels of land, with the first having already secured detailed consent and live reserved matters applications running across the two later phases.
Over a third of the site will be dedicated green open space, equating to 39-acres. The site is also set to include a range of amenities, including a primary school, community building and retail unit.
As part of the acquisition, we are contributing more than £6 million to the wider area through the Section 106 agreement, with major highway works in the pipeline, set to start later this year. Residents will also benefit from the new Thanet Parkway train station being built that is only a five-minute drive from the site, offering direct train journeys to London in just under an hour, due to be in operation by May 2023.
Glen Wells, Land Director for South East, commented: “Manston Green represents our first site in the Thanet District and is one of local significance, sitting adjacent to the former Manston Airport. We are looking forward to delivering a significant number of homes in an area that is becoming increasingly popular with all types of buyers, looking to live closer to the Kent coast yet with good connections to London.”
Lower Rainham Road, Medway
The 23-acre site on Lower Rainham Road in Rainham is earmarked for up to 202 homes with outline consent granted and a reserved matters application submitted, which is under consideration by Medway Council.
A quarter of the homes will be available at affordable housing and the site will contain over four-acres of green open space.
In addition to delivering the homes, we are investing over £2 million through the S106 agreement, including plans to upgrade Rainham’s sustainable transport and healthy living centre, along with investing in the library, increasing capacity and facilities of local schools amongst other initiatives.
New residents will benefit from being in close proximity to the River Medway with nearby Riverside Country Park offering walking and cycle trails along the water. The site is towards the north east of Rainham and is less than a mile from the train station, equating to only a fifteen minute walk, which offers trains to London less than an hour.
Glen Wells, Land Director for South East, commented, “We are delighted to be continuing our presence in Rainham, where our previous community Manor Court has almost sold out. The area is rich in amenities, close to the River Medway and plenty of green space, making it a versatile and attractive area to live, particularly for young couples and families.”
