Avison Young appointed by University of Kent as strategic advisor on 97 hectare site primed for 2,000 new homes
Global real estate firm Avison Young UK has been appointed by the University of Kent as a strategic advisor to bring its Northern Land Holdings in Canterbury to market. Spanning 97 hectares (240 acres) the site has the potential to deliver around 2,000 new homes, commercial uses and supporting social infrastructure.
The appointment builds on a five-year partnership between Avison Young and the University of Kent. Avison Young is progressing the land through the Local Plan process and is now seeking developers or housebuilders to provide private and affordable housing and commercial development, alongside community uses including schools and open space.
Expanding Canterbury’s footprint, development will create a sustainable extension of the historic city. Releasing underutilised land north of the University campus, development would support Canterbury City Council’s District Local Plan for urgently required housing. Canterbury City Council has identified an annual Local Housing Need for 1,120 new properties.
Unlocking opportunities for development and new homes in Kent, the site offers potential to boost inward investment in the region, fostering growth for future generations living and working in Canterbury. Repurposing the Northern Land Holdings would also boost reinvestment into the University of Kent’s core educational offer.
Backed by the Canterbury City Council, the University is recognised as an integral job creator in the area with educational investment feeding through into wider areas of the local economy.
Barney Hillsdon, Principal, Managing Director, Land and Development, Avison Young UK, said:
Northern Land Holdings offers exceptional potential for developers and Kent alike. Repurposing it will ensure Canterbury’s long-term financial sustainability by attracting investment and fostering a new community. Its vast space presents a unique opportunity to deliver diverse housing, commercial properties, and social infrastructure, supporting national and local growth goals.
Trevor Pereira, Commercial and Facilities Director, University of Kent, said: “By freeing up underused land to north of our campus, the University of Kent can support Canterbury City Council’s District Local Plan by providing space for additional and urgently required housing. Any future development would be done sustainably and responsibly, with full consideration given to striking the balance between net biodiversity gain and infrastructural improvements.”
About Avison Young
Avison Young creates real economic, social and environmental value as a global real estate advisor, powered by people. As a private company, our clients collaborate with an empowered partner who is invested in their success. Our integrated talent realizes the full potential of real estate by using global intelligence platforms that provide clients with insights and advantage. Together, we can create healthy, productive workplaces for employees, cities that are centers for prosperity for their citizens, and built spaces and places that create a net benefit to the economy, the environment and the community.
Avison Young is a 2022 winner of the Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for 11 consecutive years.
About University of Kent
We stand for ambition. Everyone at the University of Kent is individually and collectively in the pursuit of progress, with a student-focused approach which is supportive, challenging and rewarding, and interdisciplinary research driven by collaboration to create positive impact. Our work is underpinned by connections that enable new ideas from concept to reality and a community spirit that lasts a lifetime.
Our campuses at Canterbury and Medway welcome more than 17,000 students from over 150 countries. We are renowned internationally for the quality of our teaching and research, with many of our academic schools and centres being among the best in their disciplines across the arts and humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
We are proud to be a values-driven university and work hard to ensure that our students are at the heart of all we do. We are committed to offering one of the best education and student experiences in the UK, undertaking research and innovation of the highest standard, and being a civic university that serves and contributes to our communities.
For many years, Kent has been and remains a major economic force in southeast England. We encourage and support local and regional innovation and enterprise and continue to make a positive impact on the region’s academic, cultural, social, and economic landscape.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Kerr, Account Manager
LCA
E: [email protected]