Liberty Property : Kings Hill Gets the Crown

Kings Hill has been named one of the UK's most successful new communities in a report published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

'Placemaking and Value' examined clarity of vision, quality of architecture and design, layout, commercial and community provision, public and private amenity space, transport, parking issues and effective community engagement.

It stated that 'placemaking' has never been more important in creating thriving communities where people genuinely want to live, work and play' and concluded that Kings Hill residents 'felt a strong sense of community and attachment to Kings Hill as part of their identity.'

The report added that Kings Hill had a number of advantages over other developments, most notably its location and longevity. It also said that Kings Hill is a good investment as the 'premiums and growth rates are compelling as it consistently outperforms the local area and across all types of housing. The bias towards large family homes, many of which are high-end executive homes, sets an aspirational tone for the development.'

It cited Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trusts's willingness to adapt and evolve the masterplan as one of the reasons for the development's success. Andrew Blevins, Liberty's managing director, said: 'Kings Hill's development began over two decades ago and in that time the world has changed so, in order to respond to the needs of society today, the economy and planning policies, we have to change with it.

'We take a long term view and quality underpins everything we do. Following consultation with residents we have just revised our masterplan once again and have started work on the phased delivery of a new residential neighbourhood providing much needed homes, including affordable.

'Our legacy is the communities we create and, as the report says, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts'. We have shaped a vibrant community at Kings Hill with an established business community providing jobs for local people, including residents, all of whom benefit from central shops - including Waitrose - restaurants, sports, leisure and recreational amenities.'

The report also drew attention to Liberty's cultural strategy saying that it plays a major role in creating an interaction between residents and the developer. It added that, thanks to Liberty's experience in the US, a 'substantial amount' of public art was put in place before the first residents arrived which now provide landmarks for new residents and visitors.

Kings Hill is a 24-hour live, work, play modern garden village, providing jobs, amenities, homes, schools and other community infrastructure all within walking distance. Amenities include an 18 hole golf course, Waitrose and Asda stores plus other convenience retail, three schools, Sports Park, cricket pitch and two gyms including David Lloyd, acres of woodland and open space and many miles of foot and cycle paths.

The new residential neighbourhood is underway, a new primary school - the third at Kings Hill - opened last year and an extension to the community centre, additional allotments, trim trails and pitches for the Kings Hill Sports Park are in the pipeline. Land will also be provided for a place of worship.

Land is also available for further office and business space requirements.

For further information, please contact:
Alison Hardy, Maxim on 01892 513033 / alison@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd is a subsidiary of US-based Liberty Property Trust, a Real Estate Investment Trust, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) is a leader in commercial real estate, serving customers in the United States and United Kingdom, through the development, acquisition, ownership and management of superior office and industrial properties. Liberty's 103 million square foot portfolio includes 683 properties which provide office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities to 1,600 tenants.

Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd is developing Kings Hill - www.kings-hill.com - as a rapidly growing sustainable community in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), ensuring economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. Kings Hill combines commercial, residential, educational, retail, community, sports and leisure uses within 800 acres of highly landscaped low density parkland and aims to promote quality of life by providing a unique environment in which people can live, work, play and study. In addition to providing accommodation for SME's, Kings Hill also attracts significant international tenants such as Barclays, Voyages SNCF (formerly Rail Europe), Cabot Financial, Marsh, Arthur J Gallagher and Kimberly-Clark.

Liberty Property Trust UK and Kent County Council formed a collaborative public/private sector 'partnership' to develop Kings Hill as an exemplar mixed-use community. Kings Hill is the County's flagship development for attracting inward investment and promoting regional economic growth.