Mayor officially opens affordable homes in Kent
On Thursday 7th July, Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council together with Orbit Homes, held an official opening ceremony at the Peter Pease Close development in Kingswood.
Peter Pease Close is a ‘rural exception’ site developed by Orbit Homes in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council and Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council. Built by Jenner Ltd, the site was developed with the support of the local community and in response to local housing needs. The development includes ten homes for affordable rent through Orbit South and eight homes available under the HomeBuy Shared Ownership scheme.
The opening ceremony brought together local residents, including occupants of the new homes as well as existing residents of the surrounding area, alongside dignitaries and project partners who were involved in the planning, design and build of the site.
Councillor Tom Hoy, Chairman of the Parish Council, welcomed guests and opened the ceremony with a short speech in which he thanked Orbit Homes and Jenner Ltd on behalf of the Parish Council and expressed his happiness that the site has provided much-needed affordable homes that would always be kept for those who have a local connection to the parish.
The worshipful Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Brian Mortimer formally declared the development open and said; “Being a Parish Councillor I am well aware of how much work goes into a scheme like this. Peter Pease close is over seven years in the planning and is an incredibly special scheme as it has been designed to assist local people.”
Children from Kingswood primary school buried a time capsule and a memorial plaque supplied by Jenner Ltd was erected in memory of the sites namesake, Peter Pease, an RAF pilot whose plane crashed nearby during the Battle of Britain.
“Affordable housing opportunities in rural communities such as Kingswood are often few and far between meaning that those who were born and grew up in the area are often forced to move away from familiar surroundings and the support of family and friends to find an affordable home.” said Maggie McCann, Development Director at Orbit Homes.
“We forged a strong partnership with Maidstone District Council and Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council which allowed us to plan, design and deliver the high quality affordable homes at Peter Pease Close. We are incredibly proud that we have created a sustainable community which will provide affordable homes for generations of local residents to come.”
Cathryn Shine and her partner Joe Brooks recently moved into one of the new homes at Peter Pease Close. “ I have lived in Kingswood since I was two years old but when we started looking for a home of our own we didn’t think we would be able to stay in the village ” said Cathryn
“We recently moved into a new shared ownership home, just around the corner from my family and its lovely living here!”
Just one, one-bedroom apartment now remains at Peter Pease Close and is available under the HomeBuy Shared Ownership scheme.
For more information about Peter Pease Close or the remaining apartment, email: homes@orbit.org.uk