Land Securities has exchanged contracts with Persimmon for the sale of 170 residential plots at Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet.
The development of the 4.2 hectare plot marks the second phase of development at Castle Hill, which is one of three planned villages in the 269 hectare Eastern Quarry development that forms part of the wider Ebbsfleet Garden City.
Ward Homes began the first phase of housing at Castle Hill in October 2014.
Land Securities will install primary infrastructure (roads and utilities) on the site, with work starting this month. Persimmon will start its housing construction in the autumn and will build 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom family houses. Land Securities is also working with Kent County Council to develop a primary school at Castle Hill.
Plans for Ebbsfleet Garden City were announced by chancellor George Osborne in his budget statement last year, with up to 15,000 new homes built on what is mostly on brownfield land and former quarries in north Kent between the A2 and the Thames at Swanscombe.
The government is providing up to £200m for infrastructure to support the development and is setting up an urban development corporation to speed it up.
Colette O’Shea, managing director, London portfolio at Land Securities, said: “We are very pleased to welcome another quality house-builder to Ebbsfleet in Persimmon. We now have real momentum at Castle Hill; people looking for a place to live are recognising it as a high quality, sustainable community with great transport links, and there’s interest in the site from other house builders. The political backing given to garden cities by all the political parties has undoubtedly led to this increased interest and pace of development.”
Persimmon development director for the southeast Lance Taylor said: “We’re delighted to be building 170 homes in such a prime location as Castle Hill. Like Land Securities, we’re committed to the highest standards of design and construction so we look forward to working together to deliver the next phase in the exciting development of Ebbsfleet Garden City.”
Housing minister Brandon Lewis said: “Much remains to be done to increase the rate of development at Ebbsfleet. But this is welcome progress nonetheless.”
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
