West Malling properties in a leafy location

Homebuyer and wildlife photographer Tony White is enjoying life in his new home at Taylor Wimpey’s Leybourne Chase – a popular development of property for sale in West Malling, Kent, surrounded by picturesque woodland and green open space.

When it comes to finding a new home in the most idyllic of settings, the leafy grounds of Taylor Wimpey’s Leybourne Chase development of new homes in West Malling, Kent, is hard to match – just ask keen wildlife photographer Tony White.

The beautifully designed second phase of apartments and houses for sale in West Malling lies within 140 acres of woodlands and green open spaces at the former Leybourne Grange manor house, and the first lucky residents have now moved in to their new homes.

Tony (67) found the location of the development of West Malling property difficult to resist as it gave him the perfect chance to indulge in his favourite hobby. Now, having moved to his brand new apartment at Leybourne Chase, he’s already enjoying the opportunity to take pictures of the wealth of wildlife and woodland plants that surround his new property in West Malling.

“The fact that it’s an enclosed development within an existing woodland site really appealed to me,” says Tony, a retired manager for a heavy engineering firm. “The grounds of the new homes feature one of the finest bluebell woods in the country, and so I’m looking forward to photographing the wonderful carpet of colour, as well as taking wildlife portraits and landscape scenes.”

Nearly two-thirds of the overall development site at Leybourne Chase are being preserved as green open space for recreation and leisure, including parks, recreation grounds, fields, children’s playgrounds, sports pitches, ‘trim trail’ footpaths, community allotments, a lake and an arboretum.

Tony, who is father to two grown-up children, is also delighted with the design of his new home, which benefits from a spacious lounge with open-plan kitchen and a Juliet-style balcony boasting pleasant views across the development, plus an en-suite master bedroom, a second bedroom which doubles a study, and a main bathroom off the entrance hallway.

“It’s perfect for enjoying my retirement,” adds Tony, who lost his wife to cancer two years ago. “Our former family home, a three-bedroom house in nearby West Kingsdown, had a 100ft garden but this had become a lot to look after. My new apartment is much easier to manage, and more eco-friendly and energy-efficient.”

Two-bedroom houses, are available at the development now from just £214,995.

An excellent choice of three-bedroom houses is also available, starting from only £249,995, four-bedroom houses are priced from only £334,995, and magnificent five-bedroom homes start at £499,995.

Home-hunters, like Tony, who have a home to sell when they choose their new place at Leybourne Chase, can benefit from Taylor Wimpey’s easymover incentive. Through this hassle-free service, customers receive help to find a buyer for their current property, and their estate agency fees are paid for them.

“I found easymover brilliant,” says Tony. “My house went on the market two days before Christmas last year and I received an offer on 21st January, which I accepted. I moved into my new apartment on 23rd March, just eight weeks later, and the sales team at Taylor Wimpey helped with everything I needed.

“Having not moved home for 38 years, I was apprehensive at the start of the process, but everything went so smoothly. I had nothing to worry about at all!”

Details of Taylor Wimpey’s full range of incentives to help first-time buyers and those with a home to sell are available from the Sales Executive at the development.

Enjoying a delightful, semi-rural location on the outskirts of Leybourne, Leybourne Chase forms part of the Hospital Sites Programme run by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency, to bring 96 former hospital sites back into productive use. As well as working with Taylor Wimpey to develop the site, the HCA is providing funding to ensure new and affordable homes are available for the local community.

In time, the development will also enjoy a good selection of local amenities, including a community centre, a convenience store and a health centre.

Local facilities already within easy reach include infant and junior schools, shops and pubs, while nearby Aylesford is home to a wider choice of shopping and schools for youngsters of all ages.

For commuters, West Malling railway station is just over a mile from the development and provides regular services to London Victoria. Maidstone is only seven miles away by road, while quick links to the M20 means central London is within easy reach.

The Leybourne Chase Sales Information Centre and showhome is located off London Road, West Malling, and open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm.