News

KMEP was delighted to join more than 250 leaders from across Kent and Medway’s property, construction, development and finance sectors for the launch of the 2026 Kent Property Market Report, which highlighted continued investor confidence and a strong pipeline of development across the county.

Major logistics deals, expansion in the science and innovation sector, and new digital, energy and transport infrastructure proposals all point to long-term confidence in Kent and Medway. At the same time, the report highlights the continuing challenges facing the market, particularly planning delays, development viability and constraints on housing delivery.

Produced by Kent County Council (KCC) and Caxtons Property Consultants, the report finds that Kent remains one of the South East’s most active development and investment markets, despite inflationary pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, rising costs and weaker confidence.

Looking ahead, the report identifies the next two to three years as a critical window for growth, shaped by Local Plan reviews, Grey Belt policy reform, the Lower Thames Crossing and strategic improvements to the road network. The emerging Kent and Medway Local Growth Plan, being developed by the Kent & Medway Economic Partnership, aims to position the area as the UK’s ‘Gateway Growth Economy’ in less than a decade.

Now in its 35th year, the report identifies industrial and logistics as the county’s strongest-performing property sector for the third year in a row. At Panattoni Park Sittingbourne, ID Logistics agreed a lease for 440,167 sq ft in what the report describes as the largest single property deal in the South East, with more than 1,000 jobs expected to be created.

Further confidence is reflected at Lenham, where Panattoni has submitted plans for up to 1.4 million sq ft of employment space. If approved, the proposed development could support between 1,040 and 2,695 permanent jobs.

The report also points to a more diverse pipeline of growth. Early proposals for a £3bn AI data-centre campus between Northfleet and Southfleet, expansion at Kent Science Park and Discovery Park, and plans for a clean-energy hub for electric HGVs near the Dartford Crossing underline the county’s growing role in science, technology and low-carbon infrastructure.

Cllr David Wimble, KCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Kent’s property industry plays a vital role in creating jobs, supporting vibrant communities and securing the investment needed for long-term prosperity.

“The 2026 report shows that businesses and investors continue to recognise Kent’s strategic advantages: our position between London and continental Europe, strong transport connections, established centres of innovation and a growing pipeline of regeneration opportunities.

“There is more to do to unlock housing and employment growth, particularly around planning, infrastructure and viability, but the evidence in this report gives us confidence that Kent can strengthen its position as the UK’s Gateway Growth Economy.”

Mark Coxon, Director, Commercial Agency, Caxtons Property Consultants, said: “Once again, Kent’s property market is demonstrating its resilience and is valuable as an indicator of the health of the county’s economy.

“Industrial and logistics demand remains the standout story. The combination of major lettings, speculative development and sustainable new capacity demonstrates the depth of occupier and investor confidence across both Kent and Medway.

“The outlook is not without risk. Housing delivery remains constrained, occupiers continue to focus on quality and sustainability, and confidence is sensitive to costs and policy change. Even so, the scale of development activity gives grounds for cautious optimism.”

The retail picture remains mixed. Food stores, retail parks and destination retail continue to outperform many traditional high streets, while Thanet, Canterbury and Medway recorded notable rental growth. A proposed £100m-plus Costco Wholesale at Junction 5 of the M20 could create up to 250 jobs, while a new 69,000 sq ft Primark is set to reinforce confidence in Ashford town centre.

In residential markets, average Kent house prices fell by 2% year-on-year, compared with a 3% decline across the South East. Several districts bucked the wider trend, including Folkestone & Hythe, Canterbury, Thanet and Gravesham. However, the report warns that planning delays, viability challenges and environmental constraints, notably water supply and wastewater treatment, remain among the biggest barriers to new housing delivery. Average rents increased by 5% amid strong tenant demand and a shrinking private rented sector.

Across the county, major regeneration activity is progressing in Maidstone, Ashford, Dartford and Medway. Ebbsfleet Garden City has delivered more than 5,400 homes, with further commercial development planned around Ebbsfleet International Station.

The 2026 Kent Property Market Report was unveiled on Wednesday 4 November to an audience of property, business and public sector leaders at the Ashford International Hotel.

The Kent Property Market Report is also supported by Clear Insurance Management, DHA Planning, Handelsbanken, Hollaway, Kent Construction Consultants, MHA, and Thomson, Snell & Passmore, and endorsed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

You can download the report at www.kentpropertymarket.com