Member Article

Care group moves into Kings Hill development

A care organisation, which provides specialist support to adults with disabilities, has relocated to the ever-growing Kings Hill, near Maidstone.

Future Home Care, a supported living provider for adults in the local community, has taken 2,363 sq ft in 2 Kings Hill Avenue, one of the Flex buildings at the Kings Hill development.

Service manager, Wendy Barnes said: “We have grown steadily over the last six years here in Kent and currently support more than 60 people in Maidstone and surrounding areas, Ashford, Medway, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells,

“When we were looking for new offices it was important to find somewhere that is easily accessible for car drivers and those using public transport.

“Kings Hill is very central and easy to get to, has plenty of parking and provides an attractive environment, with plenty of shops, cafes and leisure amenities on the doorstep for our staff and visitors to use.

“We currently have around 120 staff and as we continue to support more people in the area we will be recruiting accordingly.’

The company supports people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and mental health needs in a community setting. Support is tailored to the needs of each individual, meaning it could be for a few hours a week, through to 24-hour support seven days a week.

It also manages a short breaks and respite care service for people with learning disabilities in Tonbridge, to which more than 30 people have access.

“Undoubtedly one of the great attractions of Kings Hill – as well as its location - is that 23% (over 200,000 sq ft) of the development is dedicated to amenities, which is unparalleled in any business park anywhere else in the country,” said Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust which is developing Kings Hill with Kent County Council.

“So far this year Kings Hill has accounted for 35% of office take up in the SE quadrant of the M25 market, demonstrating that the business park remains one of the most popular locations in the south east – and we are delighted that Future Home Care is joining us.”

Altus Edwin Hill, Hanover Green and Knight Frank acted for Liberty.

Future Home Care, which is part of the Lifeways Group, supports people with complex and diverse needs across the UK and has recently been named specialist care provider of the year.

Kings Hill is a major office, residential and leisure development, which is home to a 18 hole golf course, Waitrose and Asda stores plus other convenience retail, two schools with a third opening this September, Sports Park, cricket pitch and two gyms including David Lloyd, acres of woodland and open space and miles of foot and cycle paths.

There are around 200 businesses on site employing some 5,000 people and, with approximately 8,000 residents at Kings Hill too, there is a ready workforce on the doorstep.

Planning has been granted and conditions are being finalised on the next phase of Kings Hill’s residential development and work should start later this year. This will see the delivery of 635 new homes including affordable, a new primary school – the third at Kings Hill - an extension to the community centre, additional allotments, trim trails and sports pitches for Kings Hill Sports Park. Land will also be provided for the development of a place of worship.

Employment land remains for more commercial development and the creation of a further 3,000 jobs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .