Residential development of 59 homes at Charing moves a step closer

Plans for a residential development on land between Arthur Baker Playing Field and Ashford Road in Charing, have moved a step closer after an exchange of contracts on the land by the development arm of A Better Choice for Property Ltd.

The scheme has planning consent for 59 homes made up of two, three and four bedroom properties and one five bedroom property. It comprises a mixture of flats, terraced, semi-detached and detached dwellings and once built they could be offered for sale or rent.

The rural site adjoins a newly-built age-restricted housing scheme together with new access linking to the A20 Ashford Road. To the north of the site lies the Arthur Baker playing fields, while to the east is open countryside.

The scheme, covering 1.86 hectares, comes from the development arm of A Better Choice for Property Ltd, an independent private limited residential investment/development company owned by and funded through Ashford Borough Council.

Keith Hollidge, Commercial Development Manager for the Company, said: "When we secured planning approval in June 2022 it was the culmination of nearly four years hard work and now with the exchange of contracts for the land we are one step closer to delivering on this exciting scheme.  I’d like to express our thanks to Charing Parish Council and the Alder Bed Trustees for their continued support throughout this process.”

In recent months a specialist team of ecologists employed by the Company have been relocating slow worms to an alternative site. Once this work has been completed an archaeological investigation will commence following the discovery of Roman artefacts on an adjoining site.

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Sustainable construction

A Better Choice for Property Ltd is conducting a renewable (low or zero-carbon) energy assessment to examine the energy needs of each dwelling and make recommendations on energy-efficiency measures and compatibility of different renewable technologies. There will be a 7.5kw EV charging point for each unit, plus two rapid charging points located in the visitors’ parking spaces. This will promote more sustainable methods of transport.

Planning consent is subject to the implementation of mitigation measures related to the scheme’s impact on water quality at Stodmarsh Lakes near Canterbury.

About A Better Choice for Property Ltd

ABC for Property is an independent private limited residential investment/development company wholly owned by and funded through Ashford Borough Council. Its aim is to build a private market rental portfolio of up to 500 properties which will not only provide A Better Choice for Property for its working tenants but also a significant alternative revenue stream to the Council.

While the focus is on Ashford, the company is not geographically constrained and might consider opportunities outside the borough. Of particular rental interest are new build one and two bed flats, and two and three bed houses but the Company is open to buying for private market sale.

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