Posted on 25 March 2025
Celebrating the completion of Whitstable Heights, where 400 new homes are being delivered
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Jean Butcher, officially celebrated the topping out of Whitstable Heights – following the completion of the last roof. Along with Chartway Partnerships Group, we’re delivering 400 new homes - 324 are desperately-needed affordable homes for local people.
Construction of Whitstable Heights began in 2021. So far there have been 117 completions: 98 have completed for shared ownership and 19 for outright sale.
As part of the celebration, the Lord Mayor had a tour of the development, some of the new homes, and met Hyde’s Neighbourhood Officers for the development.
In her speech, the Lord Mayor spoke passionately about how the importance of affordable housing and the benefits it brings to society.
Cllr Butcher said:
“It was wonderful to be able to join in the celebrations to mark this important milestone – celebrating the topping out of Whitstable Heights. Having a safe, warm and comfortable home is so important and is still a challenge for so many. Delivering housing like this is a real priority for us. Seeing this development of 400 homes, of which 324 are affordable homes for local people, is a real example of what can be achieved when we work in partnership.
“I know that lots of people have already moved into Whitstable Heights – young and old – including a friend of mine! I can see that this is already becoming a vibrant community and I’m really looking forward to watching more people move in and build lives here.”
Stephen McGowan, Hyde’s Investment Strategy and Business Development Director, said:
“Hyde, along with Chartway, have delivered much-needed homes, in what is already a vibrant neighbourhood, which so many people are already calling home.
“Our Development team has worked with Chartway over more than a decade and Whitstable Heights is one of several sites for our partnership working which will deliver over 1,500 homes in the region in total.
“We have an ambitious programme of affordable housing delivery, that our Development team are striving to meet, even in these challenging times. High quality and environmentally sustainable affordable housing developments such as this are a real priority for us.
"We worked on this development through the pandemic, which obviously brought its own challenges, from supply issues to meeting unique health and safety requirements. Whitstable Heights is a shining example of this commitment.
“As Hyde is also a landlord, our Neighbourhood Officers look forward to engaging with the residents in this community long into the future.”
Gavin Hunt, Group Chief Operating Officer at Chartway, said:
“Whitstable Heights is a testament to the power of partnership. Our collaboration with Hyde has delivered much-needed, high-quality and sustainable homes to the community, accessible to those who need them most. Working together, we’ve overcome challenges, shared a vision, and delivered a scheme that will leave a lasting positive impact.
“At Chartway, we're passionate about delivering homes that do more than just provide shelter. Every development we undertake is about creating places where communities can thrive.
"Social value is at the heart of everything we do, from supporting local employment and apprenticeships to ensuring that our schemes enhance the areas in which we build.”
The event was also attended by the Lady Mayoress of Canterbury, Councillor Chris Cornell, Chartway colleagues and Hyde colleagues including Neighbourhood Officers for the development.