We launched our Thames Gateway office in late 2003 with every intention of making a serious impact in the Kent development market.

We launched our Thames Gateway office in late 2003 with every intention of making a serious impact in the Kent development market. Led by Tom Luck, the team have already outgrown their second office, and have recently announced their latest major land transaction. The New Road Business Estate in Ditton, on the outskirts of Maidstone, has long been an unsuccessful target for developers. The site extends to 4.6 acres, is surrounded by residential properties on three sides and Green Belt land on the other, and is allocated for housing in the Local Plan. The only slight problem is that there were ten individual freeholders, and numerous short, long and non-existent tenancies to overcome! We've successfully managed several complicated land assemblies in recent years, and saw the New Road Business Estate as a challenge. We introduced Asprey Homes because they were able to offer a versatile acquisition strategy, and have an enviable planning track record. Agreeing terms with each of the freeholders and exchanging ten individual contracts inevitably took a while, but was relatively hassle free. The planning negotiations again took some time, but consent was ultimately granted at local level with full officer support. The scheme comprises a total of 96 two and three storey units, with 90 being houses and 6 flats. Completion is due in the Summer of 2006.