Homebuilders at Kings Hill, near Maidstone, are optimistic about 2013 following the publication of a series of national housing surveys and reports, and the announcement of a marketing forum which brings them together with masterplanning developer Liberty Property Trust UK.
Kings Hill New Homes includes the six homebuilders – Bellway, Crest Nicholson, Environ, Hillreed, Taylor Wimpey and Ward Homes – which are currently developing there. The group will jointly market the residential developments and promote living at Kings Hill.
Andrew Blevins, Liberty’s managing director, said: “Through careful masterplanning and attention to detail, Kings Hill has established a national reputation as an aspirational place to live and work.
“The collaboration with the six members of Kings Hill New Homes will further strengthen awareness of Kings Hill as a place with its own identity, differentiated by the many public artworks which have become navigational landmarks, by the quality of houses on offer, the landscaping and the secure lifestyle enjoyed by the growing community of people who alreadylive here.”
The optimism of the members of Kings Hill New Homes reflects a number of national surveys, and reports from industry experts, which revealed positive trends in the housing market.
According to its latest housing market survey, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) expects house sales to increase across the UK. When asked at the end of 2012, 24 per cent more surveyors across the country predicted that the number of house sales would rise, rather than fall, over the next three months. This positive outlook comes at a time when confidence atKings Hill is already upbeat, and the RICS suggesting other parts of the country are now over the very worst.
Andrew Blevins added: “The RICS has also forecast prices will rise by two per cent during 2013. At Kings Hill, the homebuilders have reported strong viewing levels during January. One of our homebuilders, Hillreed, has reported the sale of 13 new homes since Christmas.”
According to the Land Registry there were 43 transactions in the Kings Hill postcode between October and the end of 2012. The level of sales activity is 16 per cent higher than the same quarter in the previous year, and the highest number of quarterly transactions since the second quarter of 2011.
Online real estate agency Rightmove has also reported a 22 per cent rise in properties coming onto the market in the first weeks of the year, suggesting that despite the cold weather the UK housing market is certainly thawing.
Andrew Blevins continued: “With more people putting their houses on the market, and searching for their next property, there will be many who’ll be looking for new homes, with buyers eager to find well designed, attractive and energy efficient properties such as those found at Kings Hill.
“Buyers are increasingly attracted to Kings Hill as it offers a choice of new homes and a place to live that is well designed, with high quality public and private amenity space, good transport links, car parking and community provision.”
The six partners of Kings Hill New Homes are currently building out their combined consent of 281 homes at Kings Hill, ranging from 2 bed apartments to 5 bed family homes.
Kings Hill, which is set in 800 acres near West Malling, was a former airfield and is now home to around 6,900 residents and more than 200 businesses employing some 5,000 people. It is also home to an 18 hole golf course, cricket pitch, David Lloyd leisure centre, further recreation and sports amenities, schools and a village centre with shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as a surgery, veterinary practice and opticians.