Work to build an enclave of new affordable housing on an overgrown patch of land is set to begin in the autumn.

Plans for the 20 new buildings alongside Pier Road in Gillingham have been approved by Medway Council.

The development will be built by Longfield-based builders Esquire Developments in partnership with housing association mhs homes.

The three-bedroom properties, which will be sold via the shared ownership scheme, will see the development on land between Pier Road, Layfield Road and the existing new development on Christmas Street.

The area within the Gillingham Green conservation zone has been subject to anti-social behaviour problems.

New open green space on the southern side of the side are proposed and additional parking is set to be built to ease congestion in the Layfield Road cul-de-sac.

Designs are said to be sympathetic to the existing terraced properties in the street with new semi-detached two-and-a-half and three-storey homes screen by trees bordering Pier Road.

Esquire, which has won awards for its previous developments, expect to start redeveloping in the autumn with an estimated completion date in spring 2023.

Paul Henry, managing director of Esquire Developments, said: “This is great news for the local community and delivering sustainable housing in Medway.

"As a small housebuilder we always look to play our part in delivering homes for the whole community.

"By working in partnership with mhs omes, who will now become the landlord, we will be able to create 20 high quality affordable new homes for families.

"They share our commitment to creating quality new houses and this permission follows our earlier collaborations with them in Cliffe Woods and Hoo.”

Esquire won gold in Best Small Housebuilder of the Year category at the 2020 WhatHouse? Awards for its developments across north Kent.

For more information visit www.esquiredevelopments.com

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