MP joins turf cutting to mark the start of exciting new developments for Swale

The first turf was cut at Barton Hall Drive on the Isle of Sheppey last week as work officially started on a strategic housing development.

Once complete, Persimmon Homes’ Ovinia Chase community will deliver 700 hundred much-needed new homes for the area, including homes for affordable rent and shared ownership properties.

The five-star housebuilder officially started work on the first phase which will feature 127 beautifully designed homes, including a mix of two, three and four bed properties last Monday. Craig West, Construction Director, for Persimmon Homes South East, dug the first spade into the ground ahead of groundworkers rolling on to prepare the site and mark out the new plots.

In their drive to bring forward sites and deliver the high-quality new homes that are needed to meet growing demand in the borough of Swale, Persimmon Homes is also preparing to launch a second development in nearby Sittingbourne.

Kevin McKenna, MP for Sheppey and Sittingbourne, joined Craig at Crown Quay Lane where Persimmon will be building 33 new homes on a brownfield site formerly home to a logistics company.

The exclusive community will comprise 21 apartments, an accessible home, starter homes and larger family houses, and development is expected to start in earnest in coming weeks.

The MP discussed the range of homes being built in the borough and the impact these developments will have on the council’s housing waiting list, which currently stands at 1,730 households.

While visiting the site in Crown Quay lane, Kevin McKenna MP said: “This is exactly the type of regeneration this area needs, Persimmon Homes are redeveloping a brownfield site right in the heart of Sittingbourne. The range of homes means they will be well suited to first-time buyers and those looking for larger homes.

“With development starting on these two sites in the area, Persimmon Homes are contributing to the government meeting our housing targets.”

Craig said: “We are excited to start building out these two very different developments which together will deliver a range of much-needed new housing options for those living locally.

“We are committed to bringing even more homes to the market this year and offering those looking for a new home the right property, in the right location, at the right price.

“At Persimmon Homes we have a proven track record of supporting first-time buyers as they take the first step on the property ladder and last year 41% of all homes sold by our South East business were purchased by those buying their own home for the first time.”