Basildon Council Reportedly Sells 86 Dartford Flats Following Reform Investigation

A significant development has emerged in the ongoing investigation into the purchase of new homes in Dartford by councils from outside the borough, with Basildon Council reportedly having sold all 86 of its flats at the Knights Reach development in Stone.

The news follows months of scrutiny by Dartford Reform councillors, who first exposed Basildon Council's acquisition of the properties earlier this year and have continued investigating the involvement of outside authorities in Dartford's housing market.

Basildon purchased the 86 newly built flats in two transactions, acquiring 43 properties on 24 June and a further 43 the following day.

The purchases raised serious questions about why homes being built in Dartford were being acquired by another local authority, rather than being made available to meet local housing needs.

Now, documents produced by Basildon Council suggest that a disposal of the properties was already being actively pursued by early September.

Official documentation completed on 8 September confirms that the council had received a higher offer for the properties and was seeking authority to widen the potential market beyond local authorities and registered housing providers to facilitate their disposal.

Significantly, the documentation also confirms that the flats were not intended to be occupied before their disposal.

Dartford Reform understands that the sale of all 86 properties has been completed, with Cabinet approval given approximately three weeks ago.

Although formal confirmation of the completed transaction remains outstanding, the information represents a potentially important outcome following sustained scrutiny of the original purchases.

Further questions have also emerged concerning Dartford Borough Council's involvement.

Dartford Reform has been informed that Dartford Borough Council was offered the opportunity to acquire the flats before their reported sale but declined.

If confirmed, this raises important questions about who considered the offer, why it was rejected and whether the decision received appropriate scrutiny.

The group is now seeking formal confirmation of these claims.

A Freedom of Information request submitted to Basildon Council also remains outstanding. Its response is expected to help establish the identity of the eventual purchaser, the price paid and the full history of the transactions.

The Knights Reach investigation forms part of a wider effort by Dartford Reform councillors to establish the scale of housing acquisitions by outside authorities across the borough, including other new-build developments.

At the heart of the investigation is a straightforward principle: new homes built in Dartford should deliver genuine opportunities and benefits for Dartford residents.

The reported disposal of the Knights Reach flats is a major development, but important questions remain unanswered. In particular, it is not yet known who now owns the properties or how they will ultimately be used.

Dartford Reform will continue pursuing the documentary evidence, seeking accountability from the authorities involved and pressing for greater transparency over the ownership and use of newly built homes in the borough.

The group intends to publish further findings once the outstanding information has been obtained.