Maidstone is on the up.

So says the Kent Property Report researched by Kent County Council and property consultants Cluttons.

The report found that sport, leisure and housing developments along with the £80m private hospital now under way at Newnham Court would be of major importance to the economy of Maidstone and the wider county.

Researchers looked at reviews property performance and major deals in Kent from the summer of 2011 to summer this year.

It shows a number of major projects were completed in the town in 2012 including the Gallagher Stadium -the new home for Maidstone United; the new Kent History and Library Centre; a £3 million restoration of Maidstone Museum and the new-look High Street and Jubilee Square (pictured above on its openeing day)

Work has also begun on the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery close to junction seven of the M20.

Away from the town centre, increased interest in office space at Eclipse Park was reported while Turkey Mill had occupancy rates of 95%. Construction of new speculative offices at Gallagher Group’s Hermitage Court was due to be completed later this year.

Just across the border in Tonbridge and Malling, Liberty Property Trust was refurbishing the art deco control tower at the former West Malling Airfield and is shortly to submit new plans for further development at Kings Hill which was likely to include 1,000 new homes and a new primary school.

Mark Dance, KCC's cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “Despite the economic climate, there is evidence of renewed confidence. But we cannot be complacent and we need to secure greater investment on which we can build our future prosperity.”

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