Vistry is preparing the Tovil site for housing, a key step forward.
- Building works are set to commence in January 2025 at the former landfill.
- A total of 272 new homes will be constructed in the area.
- Collaboration with specialists tackles site challenges effectively.
- The project represents a significant residential expansion in Maidstone.
Vistry has embarked on a significant development project in Tovil, transforming a former landfill site into a residential area. This preparatory phase signals considerable progress toward commencing new housing construction.
Building activities are scheduled to begin in January 2025 on the historical site, previously a quarry. Located off Farleigh Hill, at the Maidstone outskirts, the site will feature 272 homes, ranging from one to four-bedroom layouts, to cater to diverse living requirements.
Adjacent to this development are two supermarkets and a recycling centre, accessible by narrow country lanes, indicating logistical considerations in the area’s planning.
Brendan Evans, managing director of Vistry Kent, highlights the project’s cooperative nature, stating, ‘Our project at Tovil is an example of partnership working at its best. The site is complex and has its challenges but working with specialist contractor On Grade Earthworks & Stabilisation Ltd and construction consultants Calford Seaden, we are meeting those challenges with high efficiency.’
The site, previously a Roman quarry, was active primarily from the 19th to the 20th century, transforming into a landfill by the mid-1960s. Remediation efforts since 2010 have focused on removing landfill waste, enhancing the site’s suitability for residential use.
On Grade Earthworks & Stabilisation has been treating the soil since December last year, paving the way for the construction of green reinforced slope walls, among the UK’s largest.
Completion of this enabling work is anticipated by March next year, marking another milestone in preparing the area for housing.
The Tovil site development exemplifies a successful transition from industrial use to residential community.
