Commendation for new property development in Kent

The “Maine” two-bedroom apartment type at Holborough – Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd’s prestigious development near Snodland, in Kent – received Highly Commended status at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2007 in the ‘Best Starter Home’ category.

The ceremony, which was held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 18th May, was attended by the most influential people in the house building industry, as well the Evening Standard’s esteemed team of property journalists.

The judges at the awards said of The Maine: “The development is built on the site of a former quarry and in an American style, which we fondly described as either “Wisteria Lane” or “Little House on the Prairie”. We loved the style and charm of the Maine and felt the development, as a whole, has the potential to become a real community."

The Maine apartment shares the New England style that characterises all the properties at Holborough, with a pastel coloured facade, distinctive weatherboarding and timber detailing – a real departure from the rows of brick frontages that often proliferate new home developments.

The Maine apartment, which offers fantastic versatility in design with the ambiance and independence of a house, is more of a bungalow than an apartment. The property is available to buy in detached, semi-detached and terraced formats and offers three interior layout options. Purchasers can either enjoy a layout based around a formal entrance hall or choose an entrance that opens directly into a large 'Friends' style open plan living space.

The apartment also benefits from full height glazing to the living area opening out onto timber Juliet balconies as well as excellent storage space and it's own private entrance on either the ground or first floor.

Kitchens and bathrooms are well planned with high quality, contemporary fixtures and fittings. The thoughtfully designed kitchens include a range of Bosch fully integrated stainless steel appliances while bathrooms feature contemporary wall tiling and stylish sanitaryware by Hansgrohe and Villeroy and Boch.

At Holborough, Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd has also introduced Super E® Technology, and The Maine will enjoy the benefits of this new Canadian Government-backed building initiative.

Controlled ventilation will result in a fresher, healthier air – a real plus for asthma and allergy sufferers, while advanced wall technology will result in better insulation and lower energy bills.

Located near Snodland in Kent, Holborough is a landmark scheme that offers a rural location combined with excellent transport connections. Holborough is five miles from the M2 and even closer to the M20, giving excellent access to Maidstone and the M25.

The towns of Rochester, Strood and West Malling are also within easy reach and provide an excellent variety of leisure facilities and fascinating places to explore. Holborough is also perfectly located for commuters, with an average journey time into the City of about one hour. A new Channel Tunnel Rail link station is planned for Ebbsfleet in 2008 and will make getting to London and the Continent even quicker.

Nick Stonley, Managing Director for Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd, commented after the awards: “We are absolutely thrilled that our hard work at Holborough has been recognised by an awards scheme as prestigious as the Evening Standard New Homes Awards. We feel that Berkeley Homes has broken the house building mould at Holborough. Its combination of New England-style exterior styling and Super E® technology offers a truly unique living experience for those seeking affordable, quality and accessible homes in the South East”.

A selection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses are currently available at Birchleigh, the second phase at Holborough. Prices start from £160,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £250,000 for a three-bedroom, two-storey house.

For further information visit Holborough.co.uk.