Wallis Fields Regeneration

Park Wood, Maidstone, Kent

Developer/Landlord	Golding Homes
Architect	PCKO
Employers Representative	Calfordseaden
Contractor	Denne Construction / Bouygues Ltd
Engineer	Gary Gabriel Associates
Landscape Architect	Mark Hanton Studios

Wallis Fields regeneration scheme involves the major transformation of a 1960’s flatted Housing association estate in Parkwood, on the edge of Maidstone. The area had long been regarded as a prime candidate for regeneration, with poor quality housing, high levels of depravation, limited tenure diversification, and a reputation, making lettings difficult.

The pre-existing accommodation of all 3 phases included 177 flats and a parade of 16 retail units. The regeneration works will eventually create a mixed tenure mix, of 200 new homes (including 110 family houses), local community facilities and 15 commercial units.

Phase 1 & 2 works were completed December 2015, – March 2016. Phase 3 is due to commence mid 2016

Consultation and active community engagement was integral to the project, at design stage. It became clear that the potential and needs of the area lay in the opportunity to provide, an increased number of high quality new homes, which would benefit from the neighbouring large open space recreation area, two local schools, excellent public transport connectivity and local shopping facilities.

It was done in the most challenging of environments, both economically and socially, but the effect has been truly transformational. The scheme has achieved real regeneration success.