Contracts exchanged on the Riverside, Canterbury

The Hyde Group and development partner Linkcity have exchanged contracts with Canterbury City Council on a £115m mixed-use regeneration scheme in the heart of the city that will deliver 189 affordable homes for local people.

Alongside the new homes, the Riverside development will include a five-screen cinema, bars,
restaurants and student accommodation. Construction is due to start in autumn 2019, with work on
the homes beginning in September 2020. The project is expected to be competed in 2023.

“We are delighted to now be able to take the residential element of this exciting project forward and,
importantly, that all the homes will be affordable,” said Hyde Group Land and Planning Director
(South and East) Mike Finch. “Alongside shared ownership, 40% of the homes will be available for
social rent, ensuring that local people can afford to stay in the area.”

Linkcity (part of the Bouygues Construction Group) and Hyde will lease the land from the council,
which will invest £23m in the commercial elements of the scheme, which includes a 220-space
undercroft car park.

Leader of Canterbury City Council, Cllr Rob Thomas, said: “Ensuring all of the homes on this site
were affordable was a key priority for us. It’s great news for local families that this deal has now been
done, and with almost 80 of the houses available at social rent levels, the development will offer a
fantastic mix of properties for people on a range of incomes. We’re looking forward to seeing work get
underway on these new homes next year.

Indicative visual of the Canterbury Riverside scheme.

“This housing sits alongside the other elements of what is a major regeneration scheme for
Canterbury. It’s an exciting and sustainable development for the city and we know it’s going to prove
very popular.”

Nicolas Guérin, Managing Director of Linkcity, said: “Securing delivery of the residential element of
the Riverside project is a crucial piece in the jigsaw for this exciting mixed-use scheme. New
affordable homes will sit alongside the cinema, student accommodation and food and drink operators,
making a hugely positive impact in this part of the city.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Hyde and Canterbury City Council throughout the delivery stage, as we bring this vibrant development to life.”

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