Work is set to begin on the first phase of a 132 ha development at Kilnwood Vale, a new community comprising 2,500 homes west of Crawley being delivered by Crest Nicholson. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) confirmed £2.3 million of investment, making this one of the first sites in the UK to benefit from the Government's Get Britain Building programme.

The scheme will be delivered in five phases, with phase one including 291 one, two, three and four bedroom houses and apartments. As well as much needed housing, the development will also provide a new community green, known as the Gateway Village Green, alongside a range of other community facilities, including a neighbourhood park, play and sports areas, all of which are being delivered as part of the first phase. Footpaths, cycleways and bridleways will also be provided at an early stage, with links into Bewbush and across the A264 into Buchan Country Park.


The proposals also include shops, a library, sports pavilion, healthcare centre, primary school and employment space for small and start-up businesses, all of which will be delivered over the course of the wider development programme.

Stephen Stone, Chief Executive of Crest Nicholson, commented: "We have spent a long time ensuring that the proposals for Kilnwood Vale are not only genuinely integrated into the existing locality, but that we are creating a new and thriving neighbourhood complete with all the supporting lifestyle and leisure facilities necessary for a vibrant and sustainable community. The proposals for Kilnwood Vale will deliver a very real boost to the Crawley area, and it's exciting to see these plans now coming to fruition.

"Bringing forward much-needed new housing in partnership with the public sector is a key objective for us, and the scale of this site makes it a significant addition to the local housing market. We are committed to developing a prosperous community that creates new homes and also brings new life and long-term opportunities to the area."

(CD/GK)