Bellway Kent has acquired land on the south-eastern edge of Maidstone for the development of 421 new homes.
Detailed planning consent has already been secured for the 39-acre site, which is situated between Chapman Avenue and Church Road in the village of Otham.
Work is set to begin this autumn and, once complete, will see the delivery of 295 private homes and 126 homes available as affordable housing for local people through rent or shared ownership. The first homes are expected to come to market in 2022.
As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway will make a contribution worth more than £1 million towards the expansion of Greenfields Community Primary School, as well as £100,000 towards improving the National Cycle Route 177 from Church Road to Deringwood Drive.
Dan Merriman, land director at Bellway Kent, said: “The acquisition of land to the west of Church Road is an opportunity to provide much-needed high-quality homes in the area, which helps in meeting the target set out by Maidstone Borough Council in their local plan to deliver 17,660 new homes between 2011 and 2031.”
“Bellway has a strong track record of building housing that meets the needs of residents in Otham, with the successful delivery of homes at Imperial Park as well as our latest development at Bicknor Wood, where over 85 residents are now settled in their new properties.”
“The area is served well with excellent public transport links, including three bus stops within a short walk of the site. For commuters, Maidstone East and Maidstone West railway stations are less than three miles away, providing direct services to London Victoria and Ashford International, among other destinations.”
“The development offers a sustainable location for residential development, and we have ensured that all homes will feature a range of sizes and styles to meet the needs of local buyers at all stages of the property ladder.”
The proposals will see vehicles enter the development from the east of the site from Church Road via two junctions which will link to the spine road within the site.