Long Harbour will acquire 111 homes at Orchard Mill, Ditton, from Miller Homes, with the site consisting of one, two, three and four bed units overlooking orchards and open fields. Orchard Mill is ideally placed near local primary schools, a community centre with sports facilities and Ditton Quarry Nature Reserve.

Ditton is located approximately 13 miles south east of the M25, well positioned between the M2 and M20 motorways connecting the Kent coastal ports to the capital. The site is conveniently located less than 10 minutes’ drive from Maidstone Hospital, which employs over 8,000 people. Other major employers in the area include The Kings Hill Commercial Park, Kent County Council headquarters and Kent Police headquarters, all situated close by.

Ditton is a few minutes’ drive from Aylesford, a desirable historic village in Kent which benefits from a variety of amenities including a rail trail, independent shops and restaurants, and Aylesford Priory, a historical landmark and events space.

Orchard Mill is expected to see strong demand from key workers in the local area but is still well-connected to London: St Pancras station is 55 minutes from Aylesford and London Bridge is 44 minutes from West Malling Station.

The area is forecast to experience a 4.8% population growth by 2028, exceeding the 2.2% predicted for the whole of the UK. Income levels are also 1.3% higher than for the South East as a whole.

The acquisition was made on behalf of Long Harbour’s latest Single Family Housing Fund (LHSFF), which is currently deploying up to £600 million into single family housing assets. The vehicle has a total target raise of £1.2bn and is acquiring new-build family homes across the UK, with a focus on the South and South East of England. Orchard Mill creates a physical and operational link between LHSFF’s existing investments in Essex and West Sussex, consolidating close to 500 contracted units in the South East.

Jack Spearman, Managing Director of Single Family Housing at Long Harbour, said: “The latest investment into our Single Family Housing Fund marks another significant step in our expansion across the London commuter belt. Ditton is a desirable residential location with a growing population, and these homes will meet the strong demand for high-quality homes in a well-connected part of Kent.”

Long Harbour were advised on the transaction by Knights plc.

Matthew Bench, Group Managing Director, Partnerships, at Miller Homes Ltd said: “We are delighted to partner with Long Harbour to bring forward 111 thoughtfully designed, sustainable family homes to Ditton. This deal underlines Miller Homes’ continued growth in partnerships housing and further establishes us as a trusted delivery partner. Future residents can expect high-quality, energy-efficient homes within a vibrant new community, and we’re proud to play a key role in supporting much-needed housing for the area.”

‍