Regeneration was on the agenda in Dover when local MP Charlie Elphicke visited Barratt Homes’ Aylesham Village development to see how work is progressing on the new garden village.
Barratt Homes and Persimmon Homes are building 1,210 new homes together with community facilities and improved transport links as part of the overall plans for Aylesham Garden Village.
Original plans for the village were drawn up by renowned architect Sir Patrick Abercrombie, who was the advocate for the then popular ‘garden city movement’.
During his visit Charlie Elphicke was given a tour of the site and learnt more about the overall plans for the development which has already proved successful with buyers in the region.
Already the entire first phase of Barratt’s homes have been sold off-plan, which the housebuilder’s sales and marketing director, Pam Reardon, says is evidence of the need for new homes in the area.
“Aylesham is a highly-sought after area for homebuyers and we’ve seen that reflected in the level of demand for our homes,” she said. “It’s in a great country location with good links for commuters, already popular with those renting locally in Canterbury who are now able to buy their own home. There’s a strong sense of community here so it’s no surprise that houses have been selling almost as fast as they’re released and it was great to showcase the work so far to MP Charlie Elphicke.”
Charlie Elphicke MP said: ““It was great to have the opportunity to have a look around some of the beautiful new family homes that are being built in Aylesham. The houses are selling like hot cakes, and it was wonderful to hear how much interest there has been in the development from local people.
“Around half of the homes are being sold as part of the Government’s Help To Buy scheme. It was good to hear from potential buyers how Help To Buy has been instrumental in helping them get on the housing ladder.
“More and more people in our area are feeling the benefit of owning their own home. The 1,210 new homes that are being built on these two sites alone are just one example of how Dover and Deal is again a community on the rise.”
Government figures show that housebuilders and local authorities are working together to fulfill the rising demand for new homes in the area. Statistics released by the Department for Communities and Local Government show work started on 350 new homes in the Dover district last year, up from 190 in 2014. Meanwhile 360 new homes were completed, up from 260 in 2014.
For further details of the Barratt Homes development at Aylesham Village visit barratthomes.co.uk