Sales staff for a Kent developer are getting their breath back after a record-breaking 200 people put their names down for just 13 new homes.

Maidstone-based Hillreed Homes always knew that getting planning permission to build three and four-bedroom homes at the stunning west Kent village of Leigh was a bit of a coup.

With its pretty green, 'olde worlde' ambiance and posh neighbours including Penshurst Place, Chiddingstone Castle and Hever Castle, Leigh is not an area prone to new development.

But as word got around that the builders were about to move in, phones at the College Road, Maidstone, head office hardly stopped ringing, with 200 people registering an interest in the 13 planned homes in the first few days, making a new record for the well-known developer.

Jo Richards, head of sales and marketing at Hillreed Homes said she was really pleased that the development, Hollow Trees, had proved such a winner with buyers.

“When planning was granted for 13 homes in the very pretty village of Leigh, near Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, we appreciated that as planning in such a historic location is carefully limited, the demand would be high. This has certainly proved to be the case.

"Immediately the plans were approved by the local council, inquiries were coming in thick and fast to head office. We set up a register of interested parties, which grew apace even before prices were released.

"Soon we had around 200 names and addresses of people who had registered an interest - a record number for us."

Shortly after prices were released on the first nine of the thirteen homes, buyers placed deposits to reserve five. Prices now on offer range from £375,000 to £595,000.

For more information ring 01622 626800 or see www.hillreed.co.uk