6 days Ago By [email protected] (Cara Simmonds)
Construction has started on two housing developments in Swale which will have more than 700 “much-needed” homes. Diggers have begun work in Barton Hill Drive, Minster and Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne . There are 700 homes being built on former farmland at the Minster site off Barton Hill Drive and Lower Road.
The new community has been named Ovinia Chase by developers Persimmon Homes and is set to feature green spaces and a play area. Phase one includes 127 energy-efficient properties and will be a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. Some will be available for affordable rent and shared ownership.
Pictures show several diggers and rollers working on the land, with the surrounding area fenced off by metal barriers. Permission for the development was given by a government planning inspector in March 2020. Swale councillors initially turned down an outline application but lost on appeal and had to pay costs.
The Lower Road land had been part of a planning application by the original owners, farmers SW Attwood & Partners. Persimmon says it will be investing almost £400,000 in public services on the Island, including schools, libraries and the NHS. The housebuilding company is also preparing to launch a second development in Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne .
Persimmon says it is part of its drive to find new sites and produce homes to “meet growing demand”. Construction director Craig West dug the first spade into the ground to mark the launch. A total of 33 properties will be built on the 1.
26 acres of brownfield land, called Moores Yard, which was previously used by a logistics firm. It will be made up of 21 apartments, an accessible home, starter homes and larger family houses. Kevin McKenna, MP for Sheppey and Sittingbourne, joined Mr West at the site.
He discussed the range of properties being built in the borough and the impact these new developments will have on the council’s housing waiting list, which currently stands at 1,730 households. “This is exactly the type of regeneration this area needs. Persimmon Homes are redeveloping a brownfield site right in the heart of Sittingbourne,” Mr McKenna said.
“The range of homes means they will be well suited to first-time buyers and those looking for larger homes. “With development starting on these two sites in the area, Persimmon Homes are contributing to the government meeting our housing targets.” To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here .
Mr West added: “We are excited to start building out these two very different developments which together will deliver a range of much-needed new housing options for those living locally. “We are committed to bringing even more homes to the market this year and offering those looking for a new home the right property, in the right location, at the right price. “At Persimmon Homes we have a proven track record of supporting first-time buyers as they take the first step on the property ladder and last year 41% of all homes sold by our south east business were purchased by those buying their own home for the first time.
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