The county of Kent offers the setting for a wide range of lifestyles, from country to town to commuter. Those in search of a new home will find a great choice of locations and styles to choose from, finds Johnny Turner.
The Garden of England continues to attract buyers for several reasons: commuters love its proximity to London; young families can find a spacious and affordable home in a pleasant environment; single people like the nightlife in the growing county towns; and those who seek exclusivity will find stunning homes in the more upmarket enclaves.
Portland Homes, in its 21-year existence, has become known for building small developments of well-designed homes that enhance the environment in which they are built, contributing to a safe and lasting community. This reputation for care and dedication to quality is certainly evident in its recently launched development Walnut Tree Close in Westerham. This delightful private enclave of just six houses has as its focal point a splendid mature walnut tree, and the cottage-style homes are traditionally built.
Each well-proportioned property has three bedrooms, an en suite shower room to the master bedroom, a garden and parking for two cars. The high-specification finishes include granite worktops in the farmhouse kitchens, limestone and mirrors in the modern bathrooms, and each home has a gas fireplace in the living room and fitted carpeting throughout.
The location is superb. Westerham is surrounded by undulating countryside and is only four miles from junction 5 of the M25, offering easy access to London.
Only four homes remain for sale, including a stunning fully-furnished show home which is open for viewing Fridays to Sundays between 10am and 4.30pm. For further details contact James Millard on 01959 565756.
Environ Sunley has had excellent response to the unique properties in the first two phases at its award-winning Lacuna development in West Malling. Now Sunley has launched new apartments at zone C of the development, which offers a superb contemporary living environment.
The superb architecture at Lacuna has, in fact, recently garnered the prestigious Building for Life Gold Standard Award, which is a government-backed awards scheme involving the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and The House Building Federation.
The new apartments at Lacuna comprise a mixture of stunning two- and three-bedroom properties, some of which feature cathedral ceilings and open-plan living. Several properties have either a decked garden area or access to a balcony.
The apartments range from £190,000 for a two-bedroom second-floor apartment, to £299,000 for a two-bedroom duplex apartment with two en suites. The marketing suite and show homes are open daily between 10am and 5pm. To find out more contact 01732 840256 or visit lacuna.uk.com.
Also in West Malling is one of Kent’s major current success stories – the Kings Hill development, an ambitious project in which a variety of developers are building high-quality homes in a number of styles and sizes, with various specifications. The site was once an airfield, which was used during the Battle of Britain. Now all types of buyers, including young first-time buyers, growing families and empty nesters are finding the home to suit them in this impressive, well-planned community.
When completed, Kings Hill will include 1,850 homes, with footpaths, bridleways and cycle networks linking the residential areas to a new commercial community.
Kings Hill is very well connected, with a shuttle bus service to West Malling railway station, which offers direct links to Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations.
The development, which is set in a 650-acre landscaped environment, provides protected heath, parkland and mature woods, as well as amenities such as a par-72 golf course, large supermarket, tennis courts, a nursery and primary school. In keeping with its village-type feel, there is also a local pub and community hall.
At Kings Hill, Crest Nicholson has announced the launch of the new show home at Carters Grove. The scheme of 37 properties will include two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses; the first phase includes five apartments and two two-bedroom houses, as well as a three-bedroom and a four-bedroom house. The new four-bedroom two-storey show house will demonstrate to prospective buyers what the development has to offer in terms of space and style.
All of the homes at Carters Grove offer ease of access, parking facilities and outdoor space. The exterior of the show house is fully timber-fronted with protruding bay windows to the first and second floors. There is a porch, slate roofing and an intimate front flower garden, all of which combine to give the distinct feeling of a New England fishing village.
The development is only two miles from West Malling train station, providing access to Cannon Street or Victoria in 50 minutes. Junction 4 of the M20 is within four miles. Prices for the current release of properties start at £199,999 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information contact the sales office on 0870 755 9760.
Hillreed Homes is offering a part exchange scheme on a magnificent detached five-bedroom home at its highly regarded development Broadleaf Wood in Kings Hill.
‘This is an excellent way to purchase as it cuts out the trauma of marketing and having numerous viewings,’ says Jo Richards, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Hillreed Homes. ‘The method which we employ ensures that both parties reach a satisfactory agreement on the price of the re-sale property, being based on three unbiased valuations by experts.’
The Midhurst house type, a distinguished home of superb proportions, is on the market at £659,950. The property has five substantial bedrooms leading off the impressive galleried landing. The master bedroom has en suite facilities plus a dressing room, while bedroom two also has an en suite and there is a further family bathroom. There are four substantial reception rooms, a kitchen with large breakfast room, separate utility room and a fabulous conservatory
For those whose homes are already under offer or who are in a position to exchange quickly, Broadleaf Wood offers an opportunity to save up to £10,000 for an exchange within two weeks of reserving a plot. The discount is £8,000 for a three-week exchange and £6,000 for a four-week exchange. There are other properties currently being marketed at Broadleaf Wood; prices for five-bedroom detached houses with double garages range from £534,950 to £659,950.
For further information on Hillreed Homes at Broadleaf Wood call 01732 875520 or visit hillreed.co.uk.
Rydon Homes has launched a stunning development of town houses in a coveted location near Bromley town centre. Hillyer Place, located in Winchester Close, is a collection of six four-bedroom town houses, superbly situated just a few hundred metres from the popular Highfield Junior School in South Hill.
Built with the family in mind, the homes are large and spacious. The specification is excellent, with bathroom suites from Villeroy and Boch, Italian kitchens by Euro Cucina which feature sleek granite work surfaces, and fine detailing throughout. Each house has its own garage and parking facility.
Bromley is a popular outer London borough with more than 35 square miles of protected countryside, woodland and parks to explore – an ideal location for bringing up children. And with London just 12 miles away, those whose work takes them into the capital will find a convenient commute. Homes at Hillyer Place are available from £459,950. Call Rydon Homes on 01342 827098 or visit rydonhomes.co.uk.
In beautiful Sevenoaks, Sunley is revealing its plans for a prestigious forthcoming development. Clarendon Heights will consist of 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom semi-detached houses, located in what is one of the town’s most desirable addresses, Granville Road.
The retained period property at the development, a large 1920s family home known as Westways, is to be refurbished into two four-bedroom semi-detached houses, each of which will boast approximately 2,100 to 2,200 sq ft and utilise existing features.
Two new apartment buildings will be created within the grounds. The first will be contemporary in appearance and will feature nine one- and two-bedroom apartments, with a penthouse suite occupying the entire top floor. All of the apartments will have at least one balcony or terrace with some benefiting from either two terraces or a large terrace with two aspects. The apartments will all be open-plan in design.
The second building, the Glass House, will comprise eight apartments over two floors resembling a Mediterranean terrace. Two of the apartments will be two-bedroom open-plan designs with large glazed windows to three aspects. The other six apartments will have one bedroom featuring a south/south-west aspect. All apartments in the Glass House will benefit from a large private terrace.
All residents at Clarendon Heights will have secure underground car parking. Sevenoaks is extremely convenient for transport links, with Sevenoaks train station putting London within 30 minutes and the M25 motorway within two miles. There are many highly regarded state and private schools within a five-mile radius, as well as a good range of shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and outdoor sporting opportunities such as golf courses and riding schools.
Find out more about Clarendon Heights and register your interest by phoning 0800 085 2222.
CALA is currently offering homes in Chislehurst and Tunbridge Wells. Kemnal Park in Chislehurst offers two completely different styles of show homes, which let prospective buyers see how various materials, colours and fabrics can be combined to embellish an empty space. The first look is classic and sophisticated, making use of gold, black and cream, while the second boasts a fusion of bright, contemporary colours with textured surfaces and clean, architectural furniture and sleek lines.
Only a few apartments remain at Kemnal Park, including the sumptuous penthouse. Those who are interested in a stylish apartment in this sought-after area are urged to act quickly. Find out more by visiting cala.co.uk.
Also from CALA comes Norfolk Grange in Tunbridge Wells, which offers buyers two- and three-bedroom apartments with the ultimate in contemporary comfort and style. Positioned in the town centre, among the many trendy bars, restaurants and shops of this sought-after area, Norfolk Grange offers the ideal home for those who work in London but prefer to live in an environment that is more relaxed while still ‘happening’. Norfolk Grange is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, which enhance social interaction and evoke a sense of community and place.
Prices at Norfolk Grange start at £325,000. Visit the sales office at 18 Church Road (two doors away from the development), open daily from 11am to 5pm. For further information call 01892 614238.
Another Tunbridge Wells development is Millwood Designer Homes’ exclusive Copperfields, which offers beautiful views – and much more. The select scheme offers detached homes, one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom townhouses, some of which even back on to farmland, ensuring a stunning view of the rural surroundings.
The location, on the corner of Forest Road and Bayham Road, secluded but also within close proximity of the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Copperfields is very convenient for amenities and excellent communications links. Millwood has already received a huge number of enquiries. For further information contact selling agent Bracketts on 01892 533733 or visit mdh.uk.com.