Vistry and Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, have completed the land purchase for the fourth phase of the Ashmere development in Ebbsfleet Garden City, Kent.
The phase will deliver 228 new mixed-tenure homes, including 57 affordable homes to be managed by Clarion Housing Group, as part of the wider vision for a vibrant new community of 2,600 homes in North Kent. Vistry has also completed 77 homes, with contracts exchanged on a further 34 homes.
Phases 1 and 2 of the development have delivered 480 homes in a mix of private and affordable tenures so far, and the wider vision will also provide schools, shops, green spaces and sustainable transport links. Inspired by the UK’s garden city heritage, Ashmere will aim to create a modern interpretation of village living, with a strong emphasis on local character and environmental integration.
Construction on Phase 4 is expected to start in January 2027, with the first homes anticipated to be handed over in summer 2028.
Vistry and Latimer have also completed the forward sale of 54 PRS homes on Phase 3 (Parcel 9) of the development. Vistry says that the agreement, alongside the 54 affordable homes sold to Clarion in March 2026, demonstrate the strength of demand for mixed-tenure housing at Eastern Quarry and how early land acquisition and partnership working can accelerate delivery.
So far at Ashmere, 281 homes in Phase 1 have been delivered to their new residents, while the 235 homes in Phase 2 are on track for completion in winter 2026. Phase 3 started on-site in March 2026 and will deliver a further 216 homes.
Tom Dalzell, Regional Managing Director at Vistry Kent, said: “The completion of the land purchase for Phase 4 represents another important milestone in the delivery of Ashmere and the wider Eastern Quarry development, while the forward sale of homes highlights the continued strength of demand for high‑quality private rented and mixed‑tenure homes in the area.”
“Working in partnership with Latimer, Clarion, this phase will deliver a well‑balanced mix of homes that meets local housing needs while supporting the long‑term vision for a sustainable, well‑connected garden city community. These agreements demonstrate how strong partnerships and early land acquisition can help accelerate delivery at scale.”
Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “Securing this land for Phase 4 is an important next step for Ashmere, meaning we can deliver another 57 affordable homes for people who need them most, alongside new homes for private rent and sale. Working in partnership with Vistry allows us to build at pace and bring forward a genuinely mixed community, in keeping with the ambition for Ashmere as a garden city for the twenty-first century. Every pound of surplus we generate through developments like this is reinvested into building and maintaining affordable homes across the country, so this partnership has an impact that reaches well beyond Ebbsfleet.”
Expected to be fully complete in 2040, Ashmere is being delivered in partnership with Clarion Housing Group and in collaboration with landowner Henley Camland. Vistry is also working with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to deliver their vision for the Garden City.
