A SURVEY by the Halifax shows that 91 per cent of people in Britain would like the Government to take action to reduce the number of homes lying empty across the UK. The same survey shows 82 per cent support for a Government fund to help with the repair and refurbishment of uninhabited properties.

The lender says there are 700,000 empty homes in England, more than 84,000 of them in the South East.

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Hillreed Homes has come 36th in this year’s MegaGrowth 50, a Kent Messenger Group publication, in partnership with KPMG and Lloyds TSB Corporate.

The Maidstone-based housebuilder has seen turnover increase by 58 per cent from £23m to nearly £36m over the last three years while profits before tax were £3.2m.

Hillreed’s other recent achievements include a listing in The Sunday Times’ Profit Track 100, being outright winners of the Kent Environment Business of the Year award and winning the Sustainable Design and Construction category for their village development, Orchard Edge in Iwade.

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Connells has joined forces with Spanish property specialist Parador Properties to make buying a home in the sun easier than ever.

Alan Gottschalk, Connells regional director, said: “Having experienced Parador for myself, I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is seriously considering buying a property in Spain, either to live there permanently or as an investment or holiday home.”

Connells have branches in Maidstone (01622 751034) and Tunbridge Wells (01892 547966).

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Homes at Pilgrims Reach in Woudham have been selling quickly. Developers Wilson Connolly are reminding homebuyers looking for a three-bedroom property that they should visit as soon as possible.

Georgina Akers, sales manager, said: “We are still able to offer a choice of three-bedroom homes in a range of different house styles many with views over open fields.

“Some of our Thornton townhouses have been especially designed so the living rooms make the most of the outstanding scenery.”

Prices start from £159,995. The sales centre is on 01634 861825.

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Bellway Thames Gateway has released the second phase of its Maritime Gate development in Northfleet.

It comprises six, two-bedroom apartments.

Lyn Neale, sales director, said: “Launched in 2001, Maritime Gate has proved very popular.

The appeal of life at Maritime Gate was recently demonstrated when a couple who bought a two-bedroom house in 2001 recently sold it to move to a three-bedroom house at the development.”

The sales office is open daily from 10am-5pm and an on-site sales representative can be contacted in the marketing suite on 01474 532636.