Celebrating the design and development of Kent’s built environment

Celebrating the best of the Kent property and construction industry, the search is now on for nominations for the Kent Design & Development Awards 2018.

Jointly organised and sponsored by DHA Planning, Kent County Council and PR and marketing agency Maxim, the Kent Design & Development Awards take place every two years.

Plane sailing for Heathrow?

At last there appears to have been some progress made towards the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow.

Legoland expansion decision knocks hole in the Green Belt

When I first heard Legoland was going for an expansion I had an image of the addition of a Lego Stonehenge, a scale model of the M25 or Brands Hatch, or even the White Cliffs of Dover, how wrong was I, writes Andrew Metcalf of PR and marketing agency Maxim.

Retail space down, office and industrial space up

When it comes to the UK’s commercial property market, the latest data from RICS suggests it’s a challenging time for retail, but getting better for office and industrial. Andrew Metcalf, director of Maxim and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, looks at the figures and considers what it might mean for Kent.

Green Belt permission granted in Stone Street

Securing permission for 15 new homes in the Green Belt is no mean feat, but that’s exactly what the combined expertise of Hobbs Parker Planning Consultants, based in Ashford, and Canterbury-based Clague Architects, have recently achieved.

Race for Manston takes another twist

Maxim’s Andrew Metcalf considers the latest news to emerge about Manston Airport and what it might mean in terms of who’s leading the race to redevelop the former RAF base in Thanet

Consent sought for Manston Airport reopening

After months of waiting, the latest battle lines for Manston Airport now appear to have been drawn. RiverOak Strategic Partners has submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which if approved could lead to the reopening of the airport.

However, to use Winston Churchill’s words: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” The DCO process is not a quick one.

Thanet faces Local Plan intervention

Despite the recent demise of the country’s only UKIP-led council and return to conservative majority-power, housing secretary of state Sajid Javid has announced that Thanet District Council faces central government intervention in its local plan-making process.

Tunbridge Wells lands a retail heavyweight

In recent weeks we’ve seen depressing announcements heralding the death of major household names. Others, such as Carpetright, New Look and Prezzo, have done some serious self-treatment and slashed their stores in order to stop haemorrhaging cash. But it's not all bad news.

NPPF review – what could it all mean?

The dust has just about settled on the NPPF review announcement. Maxim's Andrew Metcalf has taken time out to do a quick assessment of some of the key points for Kentcentric and reviewed some of the reviews, about the review, if that makes sense.

Kent's villages could see more homes being built

In something new for Kentcentric, we're going to be asking leading experts in the Kent planning, property and development sector to give us their views on key questions.

CPRE's legal bid to stop Woodcut axed

Development at Junction 8 of the M20, the site of the notoriously controversial former Kent International Gateway proposals, is now a step closer.

Marks & Spencer’s plans for Maidstone go public

Proposals to create a new Marks & Spencer store at Eclipse Park, near junction 7 of the M20, are to go on show to the public later this month.

Is Thanet set for Government takeover?

The deadline has passed for the 15 English councils named and shamed as tardy plan-makers to persuade Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, not to intervene.

College merger creates significant property portfolio

Just announced by the Further Education community is the completion of the merger of Canterbury College and East Kent College.