Find park homes in Kent

• Friday, 7 August 2009
• Kathleen Retourne
• 0 Comments

park homes and static caravan for sale in Kent

WE WANT
‘We would like a park home – it doesn’t have to be brand new – with two bedrooms so as to have a spare room where we can put up friends staying overnight and which could double as a computer/games room. Our flat isn’t very big, so we are hoping for some extra space in the lounge and a fitted kitchen. Having our own garden would be nice (there isn’t one with the flat). And the park needs to be within walking distance of a railway station or with a good bus service to one.’

WE CAN AFFORD…
‘We are currently paying £600 a month on rent plus the usual bills. With a bank loan, our combined savings and a bit of help from our parents we reckon we could scrape together £100,000 to buy a park home, perhaps a little more if we found the right place.’
 

LOCATION 1
HOO MARINA PARK
There has been a residential park on this site for several decades, the last two with Berkeleyparks as owners – this is the second largest in their 41-strong group.
It lies eight miles to the north east of Rochester and, a few miles further away is the M2 motorway so quick access to the M25 as well as the Channel Tunnel is assured. Being located near the end of a cul-de-sac, a mile from Hoo village, the park itself does not suffer from through traffic.
One of the first things you notice on arriving is the masts of yachts in the marina alongside – there is direct access from the park. Only a handful of homes have a view of the river but you can be down at the water’s edge in a couple of minutes.
The park itself is all on the level, with a network of access roads criss-crossing the area, at the centre of which is a grassy communal space with benches. Nearly all the plots are fenced off, with every one having a garden shed.
Other than the estuary to the south, the surrounding area is given over to farmland. That’s apart from Kingsnorth Power Station, clearly visible four miles further east along the riverbank.

CONTACT DETAILS
Hoo Marina Park, Vicarage Road, Hoo, Rochester, Kent ME3 9TF
Tel: 01634 250965
Contact: Alan & Irene Setter
Owners: Berkeleyparks, West Coker House, West Coker, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9BG

WHAT DID JAMES AND SARAH THINK?
OUR CONCERNS…
‘There are no buses after 8pm which would be awkward if we didn’t want to use the car.’
‘The industrial estate next door is a bit unsightly.’
‘Some of the park homes needed a bit of care and attention.’

BUT WE LOVE…
‘Being close to the river and the marina is nice.’
‘It’s accessible by public transport with a station quite close.’
‘The park homes are affordable and there is some choice too.’

FACILITIES
There is a shop (with cash dispenser) on site selling groceries, newspapers and alcohol
A butcher calls weekly in his van
Various shops plus a Post Office and banks can be found in Hoo, a mile away
The nearest big supermarkets, Tesco and Morrisons, are 4 miles away in Strood
Doctors’ and dental surgeries are within 1½ miles; a hospital with A&E, within 2½ miles
The nearest station is at Strood, 15 minutes’ bus ride away
LIVING COSTS
Ground rent costs £98-£151 per calendar month depending upon the plot
All homes come under Band A for council tax and cost £862.03 for the year 2009-10
Electricity is billed by the utility
Each home has its own mini bulk lpg tank
Water and sewerage charges come to £22 per calendar month
PARK POINTS
There is no minimum age
Resident children are welcome
Every home has at least one car parking space alongside; a handful, double spaces
Pets are allowed – and popular
The park is all on the level
All of the homes have (non-combustible) sheds


HOMES AT HOO MARINA PARK
At the time of our visit there was a vacant plot available for a 34x20 home. In addition, several previously-owned models were up for sale. They ranged from a 1999 40x10 Omar Berkeley Plus costing £85,000 and a 1985 32x20 Omar Breckland priced at £105,000 to a 2003 36x20 Country Homes Kingsbridge costing £135,000.

LOCATION 2
RESTAVON PARK
Situated less than two miles east of Biggin Hill, Restavon is one of three parks in south-east England run by Rickwood Estates Ltd.
There has been a park here since the 1920’s, originally as accommodation for ground crew from the airfield, which became so prominent in the Battle of Britain. You get a good view at air show time.
Rickwood took over in 1994, since when they have made various improvements, not least upgrading mains services and, a couple of years ago, laying new Tarmac roads. CCTV has also been installed.
The licence on this 26-acre site (half of it given over to woodland) is for 82 homes but only 81 plots are occupied. Five new plots were added in the late 1990’s.
Restavon looks out on open fields at the front but is surrounded on other sides by extensive woodland which drops away quite steeply so that part of the park slopes noticeably and is terraced. As a result, some of the residents enjoy panoramic views across the adjoining valley.
Gardens are mostly open plan and gave the impression of being well cared for. There were lots of ornamental shrubs, carefully-sculpted hedges and garden ornaments in evidence, as well as a good sprinkling of trees.
    
CONTACT DETAILS
Restavon Park, Berrys Green Rd, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3AN
Tel: 01959 572095
Contact: Richard Dobson
Owners: Rickwood Estates Ltd, Rickwood Park, Beare Green, Dorking, Surrey RH5 4PP


WHAT DID JAMES & SARAH THINK?
OUR CONCERNS…
‘Commuting would not be very easy or practical.’
‘There was little choice of homes and most prices were too high for us.’
‘You can’t park on your plot.’
BUT WE LOVE…
‘The views across the valley are lovely.’
‘It has a nice, homely atmosphere and a sense of community.’
‘The grounds are well maintained, the individual homes as well.’

 FACILITIES
The nearest shops (including Somerfield and Waitrose) are two miles away in Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill is the place for a GP and a dentist, also a Post Office
You need to go to Croydon (nine miles away) for a hospital with A&E
There is an hourly bus service six days a week which stops five minutes’ walk away
The train station is six miles away in Orpington
LIVING COSTS
Depending upon the home, ground rent costs £108.39 - £147.18pcm including water supply
Sewerage charges are £65 per annum
Most homes come under band A for council tax, which is £859.32 for the year 2009-10
Electricity meters are read quarterly by the park
A few homes have lpg cylinders but most are on mains gas billed by the utility
Garages cost £35.20 each per calendar month; an extra parking space, £7pcm
PARK POINTS
There is no minimum age and resident children are welcome
Pets are allowed at the park owners’ discretion
All of the parking is communal in numbered bays or 22 garages
There are no amenities on the park
It’s a mixture of almost level and terraced (on a steep hill) with some lovely views


HOMES AT RESTAVON
On sale when we visited were three previously-owned park homes. They were an extensively-refurbished 1976 Wonderland 36x10 priced at £79,995; a 1997 27x20 Country Homes Special at £143,995; and a 2005 36x16 Omar Oulton XL Special, costing £144,950.

AND NOW FOR OUR FAVOURITE
HOO MARINA PARK
‘Our heads have to rule our hearts here so it came down to practicalities. As well as a riverside location, Hoo had better public transport links (so commuting would be easier), some amenities on site, less-expensive homes and more of them to choose from.’

OUR FAVOURITE BITS
Being so close to the Medway and the marina were definitely plus points.
The ease of access to Hoo village with all its facilities was also important.
You can get from the park entrance to the station by bus in 15 minutes

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