Dandara acquires site for 88 new homes within walking distance of Deal beach

Leading independent housebuilder Dandara has completed the purchase of a four hectare site in the Kent seaside town of Deal. As well as creating a contemporary selection of two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, the development will also include a brand new synthetic turf football pitch and clubhouse to benefit the local community.

The land, off Freemens Way, was once a school playing field, but was sold by Kent County Council as surplus to requirements after the South Deal Primary School was demolished in 2007. Chris Harris, Managing Director of Dandara South East explains: “It is great news for Deal to see part of this overgrown patch of unused land put back into active use – the full-size senior football pitch with a all-weather 4g surface, along with changing rooms, club room, kitchen, bar and spectator terrace, will be a fantastic new resource, and Cinque Ports FC have already expressed an interest in making it their home ground.

“Residents won’t have to be football fans to want to live here, though – it’s just a 15-minute stroll to the wide expanse of Deal beach, perfect for a cooling swim in the summer, and the development itself will have a generous landscaped area in the centre, including a well-equipped play area. With The Tides Leisure Centre and Gym, Deal Skate Park, the popular Walmer Paddling Pool and new adventure golf all a few minutes’ walk away, anyone who enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle will love it here.”

The development, which is expected to launch in November with the first homes ready in early 2023, is close to two railway stations, with direct trains from Walmer station reaching London St Pancras in as little as 1hr 20 minutes and services from Deal station to Ashford International in 48 minutes.

Deal is well-equipped small town with a long history as a maritime centre. It has a pretty Grade II listed pier and two fine castles in the care of English Heritage, a theatre, a weekly farmer’s market and a good mix of independent and national stores interspersed with antique shops and galleries. Everything you need is close at hand, including an Ofsted-rated Outstanding primary school a short walk away.

The new homes, including 26 affordable properties, will be built with a smart, contemporary look that was praised by planners for being “innovative and well-designed”, featuring varied shapes of roofs in grey tiles, warm grey brickwork with low parapets extending above the eaves to conceal the gutters and generous windows.

As well as providing the new football pitch and clubhouse, as part of the planning consent, Dandara will donate more than £700,000 to the local community for improvements to schools, local health services and the public realm.

For more information visit www.dandara.com or call 01844 808583.