Bellway starts building 450 new homes in Herne Bay

The groundworks at a site due to comprise of 450 new homes is now underway at Bellway’s Oxenden Park development in Herne Bay.

A mix of houses and apartments are being built on a 57-acre site off Greenhill Road at the southern edge of the town.

The scheme will also include a series of public open spaces, allotments, and new sports pitches and playing fields for Briary Primary School.

Bellway will deliver an investment of £3.5 million in local services as part of the planning agreement for the development. This will include contributions towards medical facilities and schools as well as funding to support measures aimed at reducing disturbance to wintering birds in wetland areas of North Kent.

Oxenden Park will comprise 315 properties for private sale and 135 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership, including one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses.

Each house will come with a private garden and a garage or designated parking. Electric vehicle charging points will be provided for some of the properties.

Mark Harrop, Sales Director for Bellway Kent, said: “This is an ambitious project which will create an attractive new residential community and bring significant investment to the area while fulfilling the need for more housing in this part of Kent.

“Oxenden Park will offer the appealing prospect of living close to the North Kent coast just a short drive from Herne Bay beach. The site’s location will be particularly attractive to families, as it is within walking distance of Briary Primary School and Herne Bay High School, both of which are rated good by Ofsted.

“Residents will also be able to benefit from the public open spaces, allotments and well-equipped children’s play area we are providing within the site. Tree planting will take place along the main access road through the development to create an attractive green neighbourhood.

“The homes at Oxenden Park be traditional in appearance, featuring a red-brick exterior influenced by existing properties in the town. The development has been designed to reflect the residential character of the surrounding area, with low-rise three storey apartment buildings and two-storey houses.”

Outline planning permission for the site was granted in October 2020, with Canterbury City Council approving Bellway’s detailed plans for the development in December last year. The first homes at Oxenden Park are due to go on sale in June.