Short answer
A practical guide for buyers
Chilmington Green is unusual in that it is both a working community and an active building site. That means it can be a great place to buy, but it pays to ask the right questions before you commit.
The good news is that almost everything worth checking is publicly available somewhere - through the planning portal, Kent County Council, school websites, your conveyancer, and a walk around the streets themselves. The trick is knowing which questions to put on the list.
Check who built the home
Different phases have been built by different developers. Find out which developer built your specific home, who is responsible for any snags and what warranties (such as NHBC or similar) apply.
If the home was built by Hodson Developments or one of its associated companies, your solicitor should also check the current status of that company on Companies House and confirm how snags or warranty claims would be handled. See our guide to the Hodson administration for the wider context.
Check estate charges
Many homes sit within an estate management arrangement linked to the Chilmington Management Organisation. Charges typically cover services such as upkeep of shared green spaces, play areas and other community infrastructure. Ask for clear figures, what they cover and how they can change over time.
Useful follow-up questions: how is the charge calculated, when was it last reviewed, what is included and excluded, and what are the rules around future increases. The CMO model is one of the more interesting features of community life here, but it does mean households take on a recurring cost on top of council tax.
Check schools
Chilmington Green Primary School and Chilmington Green School (secondary) are open. Living in the area does not automatically guarantee a place at any specific school, so check current admissions arrangements with the schools and Kent County Council.
For most families with primary-age children, distance to school and the safety of the walking route matter as much as Ofsted ratings. Visit at school-run time if you can. See our overall schools guide, the primary school page and the secondary school page for what is open and what is planned.
Check roads and transport
The A28 Chart Road improvement scheme is currently listed as postponed. Think about how you will travel to work, school and Ashford town centre, and how that might change over time.
If your commute relies on a clear A28 run, the A28 update is essential reading before you exchange. Drive - or better, walk and cycle - your likely routes at peak times, not just on a quiet Sunday viewing.
Check what is open now
Look at what is genuinely open today - not what is planned in marketing material. Visit the area, walk around and see for yourself what shops, healthcare and community facilities are actually available.
Our shops, healthcare and facilities page tracks what is open versus what is still planned. For health services in particular, use the NHS find a GP tool to confirm which surgeries currently accept patients in this postcode.
Check planning and infrastructure updates
Section 106 obligations and developer changes can affect what is built next. Spend time on the Ashford planning portal and our latest update before signing anything.
Plain-English starting points: our Section 106 explainer, the Hodson administration page, and the overview of the development as a whole. Together they give you the context most sales brochures leave out.
The main buyer checklist
- Who built the home and which warranties apply?
- What estate charges apply and what do they cover?
- Which schools serve the home and what are admissions like?
- What roads and transport are planned, and when?
- What is genuinely open in the area today?
- What planning issues might affect future development?
- Are there leasehold, freehold or shared-ownership terms - and what do they mean for resale?
- How energy-efficient is the home (EPC rating, heating system, solar)?
- What parking, EV charging and storage arrangements come with the home?
- How does the route to your workplace, station or school actually feel at peak times?
Questions to ask the sales team
- Which legal entity will I be buying from, and what is its current trading status?
- Which warranty provider covers the home, and for how long?
- What snagging process do you offer in the first 12 and 24 months?
- What is the current and projected estate charge for this plot?
- Which streets and facilities around me are due to be built next, and when?
- Are there any outstanding Section 106 items that affect this phase?
Questions to ask your solicitor
- Are there any unusual covenants, restrictions or future works rights on the title?
- How are estate charges secured, and what happens if I do not pay?
- Who will adopt the roads, drains and public spaces near the home?
- Are there any open enforcement, planning or insolvency issues affecting the developer?
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chilmington Green a good place to buy?
It depends on what you want. Chilmington Green offers new-build homes, schools and a long-term plan, but it is still being built. That suits some buyers more than others.
Are there estate charges at Chilmington Green?
Many homes in the area sit within an estate management arrangement run by the Chilmington Management Organisation. Buyers should check the exact charges and what they cover before exchanging contracts.
Should I be worried about the Hodson administration?
Buyers should always do their own checks. Talk to your solicitor about which company built the home, what warranties apply and how local infrastructure obligations are being managed.
Can I buy with Help to Buy or shared ownership?
Some phases at Chilmington Green include affordable, shared ownership or first-time buyer products through housing associations. Availability changes phase by phase, so always ask the developer or sales agent what schemes apply to the specific home you are interested in.
Are second-hand resales available?
Yes. As earlier phases have matured, more homes come to the resale market. These can offer landscaped gardens, finished streets and a clearer picture of the neighbourhood than off-plan purchases.