New neigh-bours for Cranbrook

Plans to develop a training and husbandry centre for dressage horses in the High Weald AONB have been unanimously approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Can Kent compete in the space race?

There’s much talk about what can Kent do to retain a larger proportion of its graduates and stimulate its knowledge economy. Kentcentric asked Karl Elliott, managing partner of Clague Architects, based in Canterbury, and he firmly believes there needs to be more investment in high quality innovation centres.

800 Kent homes approved after Minister overrules Inspector

Proof positive that housing numbers matter has just been shown by a major decision in Canterbury.

Despite significant uncertainty over who would fund the necessary local road improvements, Secretary of State for Housing, James Brokenshire, has approved plans for up to 800 homes in Canterbury, overruling his own planning inspector.

Are you interested in state of the Kent property market?

The Kent Property Market Report continues to be the pre-eminent property event in the county.

Is Thames Estuary set for exciting future?

Andrew Metcalf of PR and marketing agency Maxim considers the implications of the Thames Estuary Growth Commission’s 2050 report.

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.