Stamp duty extension call: Kent experts urge more help for homebuyers
Published: 10:15, 19 January 2021
Housebuyers face a race against time to benefit from the stamp duty holiday before the big-money saving window slams shut at the end of March.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak appeared to rule out an extension to the holiday last week, which was introduced to kick-start the housing market after the impact of the pandemic.
The current tax break means that the first £500,000 of any property purchase is exempt from stamp duty, which can save buyers up to £15,000
Due to end of March 31, it means those buying a property under £500,000 pay no stamp duty at the point of completion - which for top end properties means a saving of up to £15,000. A property worth £340,000 - the average price a property in Kent sold for in 2019 - would carry a £7,000 stamp duty bill.
Transformation of former Tivoli arcade in Central Parade, Herne Bay pushed back by 12 months due to Covid
Published: 06:00, 17 January 2021
A heavily delayed project to transform a derelict former arcade and regenerate part of the seafront could be pushed back a further 12 months.
Canterbury City Council is proposing to postpone its multi-million-pound plans to demolish the former Tivoli arcade in Central Parade, Herne Bay, to April 2022 at the earliest.
The former Tivoli arcade
Its proposals for the site, along with the car parks to the rear in Beach Street, include replacing the eyesore with studios, three shops and 31 homes, of which 10 will be social housing.
Plans for The Willows housing development in Chestfield near Whitstable unveiled
Developers are eyeing up sites for two new housing estates in Whitstable.
Two separate adjacent potential plots have been identified on greenfield land between the old and new Thanet Ways.
CGI of The Willows development in Chestfield. Picture: Southern Grove / On Architecture
One of the two proposals is being promoted by Southern Grove, which has revealed plans for an £18 million development of 54 homes called The Willows.
It is on a triangular plot of land, and has been submitted to the city council as part of its Local Plan âcall for sitesâ for future housing allocation, with a planning application likely to be put forward around May.
Plans submitted for 150-plus homes and new footbridge over River Stour at former Headley Brothers printworks site in Ashford
Published: 06:00, 14 January 2021
More than 150 homes could be built on a riverside site which once housed a printing business that had been running since 1881.
Developers have unveiled plans to construct 60 houses and 97 flats on the former Headley Brothers plot near Ashford town centre.
The former Headley Brothers site near Ashford town centre
The outline application - submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) last week - includes a new footbridge over the River Stour which would link the site to Queen Mother s Park.
Church View in Tenterden is a new development with homes featuring traditional architecture
Published: 06:00, 11 January 2021
The timeless quality of a town known as the Jewel of the Weald has been reflected in a new development which aims to offer the atmosphere of traditional country living.
Dandaraâs Church View development in Tenterden features traditional Kentish architecture coupled with attractive street scenes, designed by Adam Architecture.
Church View, Tenterden, by Dandara
Church View takes its inspiration from tree-lined Tenterden High Street, known for its independent shops, and architecture from Georgian buildings, to tall Victorian houses and tiny cottages with weatherboarding.
At the development, there are 10 traditional styles of homes to choose from including one or two-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses.