With the housing market suffering a slowdown, developers are increasingly looking at delivering more creative and imaginative projects, according to Kent property experts RPC Land New Homes.

In recent years, due to the Government¹s planning policies to increase the number of homes quickly and seek the best use of brownfield sites, there has been a trend to deliver higher-density developments such as flats.

Now RPC, which has offices in Tonbridge, Maidstone, Ashford and Chatham as well as Haywards Heath in West Sussex, believes some developers are trying to be more imaginative with new schemes looking at mixed-use developments.

In urban centres and large out-of-town sites in particular, planners are looking favourably at sites that mix residential and commercial premises to obtain the best mix enabling land values to reflect the changing market conditions and maximise the site value.

RPC managing director Peter Randall said: "Building endless blocks of apartments is no longer viable. We are seeing a higher demand from buyers looking not only for residential development, but, land suitable for other projects such as medical centres, care or nursing homes.

"There is also a competitive market for land that is suitable for retail on the ground floor with residential accommodation above it. Developers are prepared to look at other options than just residential and these types of projects are providing better market opportunities for sellers.

"Getting the right development in the right place is even more important in terms of securing the best deal. Taking professional advice on a commercial or mixed-use scheme and the planning implications is just as important as ever and ultimately will lead to the best price for a site."

Visit www.rpcland.co.uk or for a confidential discussion call Peter Randall on 01732 363633 or e-mail p.randall@rpcland.co.uk