Case Study 5
The UK has over 1,000 islands spread around the coastline, which can make beautiful and unusual places to live. Advances in development techniques and the popularity of waterside living are attracting a number of mainland residents to these islands, such as Ann and Andy Bryce.
A new lifestyle
The Bryce’s swapped the daily grind of running their local shop in Newington, Kent for island living at Countryside Maritime’s development on St Mary’s Island, Chatham, Kent, and they couldn’t be happier with their new lifestyle
Ann, a supply teacher in her 50’s, comments: “Andy and I had been running our shop for a number of years but felt it was the right time for a change. We wanted to find somewhere relaxing, and a riverside environment seemed ideal.
When we saw St Mary’s Island, we were extremely impressed and we couldn’t believe what a beautiful property we could afford as we didn’t want to stretch ourselves with a large mortgage. We bought a spacious three bedroom house which has a bright, south facing garden.
“We absolutely love island life. Andy and I regularly go for walks on the river paths around the island. Nearly everything we need is within walking distance, there is a doctor’s surgery on the island which we have registered with, and even a shopping centre and a cinema just across the bridge on the mainland. All of the neighbours we have met are lovely, and because we are living on the island we feel a strong sense of community. What Countryside Maritime has achieved here is very special and we can’t wait to see how the work progresses in the coming years.”
A desirable place to live
Award winning St Mary’s Island is highly acclaimed as being one of the most desirable places to live in the Medway area. The Island has been transformed from a derelict former Naval base into a sustainable community with some of the most eco-friendly homes in the country.
St. Mary’s Island is a 150 acre (61 hectares) peninsular, situated by the River Medway, approximately one mile to the north of Chatham town centre. It provides the prime residential district within ‘Chatham Maritime’, which is Countryside Properties’ and the South East England Development Agency’s (SEEDA) flagship regeneration project for the former Royal Naval Dockyard.
To date, the joint venture has led to the construction of more than 1,150 of the 1,700 homes for which outline planning permission has been granted. Other features of the Island include a primary school, community centre, a pharmacy and a considerable expanse of landscaped open space.
In addition, designated play areas for children have been created, and the Island benefits from 24-hour security in the form of CCTV cameras and regular security patrols. A network of walkways has been created around the Island, opening up views across the River Medway which had previously been closed off to the public for 400 years.
Future developments at St Mary’s Island will be coming in 2010. To register your interest in Island living please visit www.stmarysisland.uk.com