A NEW FAMILY HOME FOR GROWING, THRIVING AND LEARNING

For Gregg (33) and Lizzy (32) Skinsley-Stephens, moving into their dream home with their young children at Whitstable Heights in Whitstable, was nothing short of a perfect match. After nearly two years of searching, exploring countless options across five local developments, and weighing up project houses, they finally found the home that ticked every box. Both this home and their previous one were purchased through shared ownership, a scheme that has been instrumental in helping them move up the property ladder. Their new spacious four bedroom detached house offers not only more room but an ideal location for a dynamic family life.

Shared ownership has made all the difference for Gregg, who works as Head of Partnerships for a company contracting with the Department for Education, and Lizzy, a dedicated teaching assistant. Like many families needing more space but hard pushed by the full market value, their options felt limited. Shared ownership allowed them to secure a property that suits their growing family’s needs, while offering stability and the potential to increase their stake in the future. This was not just about more space—it was a chance to secure a long-term family home with good educational opportunities for their children.

“This home is everything we’d hoped for and more,” Gregg shares, reflecting on the sense of fulfilment they’ve found. With their two children, Olivia (8) and George (3½), and their beloved cat Loki settling in, the family have truly embraced this new chapter in a place that offers them space to grow. The surrounding Whitstable area offers access to good education and employment for the family. “It was a strategic move. We weren’t convinced by the local school options near to our previous house in Herne Bay,” Gregg explains. “We wanted to give Olivia the best opportunity to go to a good secondary school nearby that aligns with our values, and Whitstable Heights gives us access to Canterbury-based schools too.”

The main motivation for the move was planning for their children’s future, ensuring they could grow up in an environment that prioritized education and opportunity. For George, the move also provides long-term stability. “We wanted to establish a base that would give him access to a good primary education and, later, the same or a similar secondary school as his sister,” Gregg shares.

The move to Whitstable Heights also brings Gregg back to his own roots. He explains: “It’s where I grew up as a child, so it feels like coming back home. I really enjoy taking the kids to the coast and showing them where I used to play as a kid. It really means a lot,”

The development is close to nature reserves and the beach, both of which suit the family’s outdoorsy lifestyle. Lizzy comments: “As a family, we’ve always been in touch with nature. We love walking and the children love the beach, and now we’re a few minutes’ drive to the wonderful seaside of Whitstable. The area really caters for a lifestyle that we love. There is also a children’s park straight opposite the house and it’s given our eldest a lot more independence. She often goes across to the park with the daughter of one of our neighbours.”

Living in the four-bedroom detached home has also allowed the family to enjoy more space and spectacular views. “We were in a two-bedroom terrace, and now we’ve moved into a much bigger, brighter, and more spacious home. We struck gold with the view—we can see the sea, the Isle of Sheppey, windmills, and the show home opposite doesn’t encroach on that,” Gregg enthuses. “From the kids’ bedrooms the other side of the house, the view is of the on-going construction and George loves watching the process. He’s obsessed with the construction vehicles.”

Since moving in at the start of August, Gregg and Lizzy have been able to quickly integrate into the local community. “Despite moving in August, Olivia has already made friends,” Gregg explains. “Lizzy was part of the Whitstable Heights residents’ group early on and we formed a WhatsApp group. It was nice to get to know our neighbours even before moving in.”

The sense of community has grown rapidly at Whitstable Heights. Their neighbours’ daughter, who is a year older than Olivia, has already become a close friend, and the two girls have had sleepovers on the family’s trampoline. “We’ve been so lucky to establish strong relationships with our neighbours. We share childcare duties, and it’s great to see the children bonding. We were at their house on Saturday for one of their birthdays and we were saying that it feels like we’ve made some strong friendships already, even though it’s only been a month.”

Gregg and Lizzy’s weekends are now filled with trips to the high street, beach walks, and woodland adventures. “The surrounding area is so brilliant, with its beaches and woodlands. We’re very outdoorsy,” Gregg says. “We’ll throw on our coats and wellies on in the winter and still head to the beach. We’ll make the most of it all year round.”

After an extensive search, Gregg and Lizzy opted for a shared ownership route, buying 30% of their home with an £80,000 deposit. “We sometimes have to pinch ourselves that we’ve managed to

achieve what we have,” Lizzy says. “Two years ago, we never thought we’d be able to say we live in a four-bedroom detached house. Shared ownership has worked out really well for us—it enables you to get so much more than you think you can. We have used shared ownership to create a brilliant life for our children.”

Looking ahead, the couple plans to staircase their investment, with the goal of eventually owning their home outright. “It’s our long-term home so we there’s an investment to be made in the remaining percentage. Gregg notes. “We plan to see our children off to secondary school, maybe even university, from here. It’s been a big step up for us, and we couldn’t be happier.”

In Whitstable Heights, Gregg, Lizzy, and their children have found not just a house but a home—one that meets their needs now and offers a foundation for the future.