East Kent is an attractive but overlooked area that might be worth a look at due in large part to the substantial regeneration money going into the area.

Deal on the East Kent coast is a town of about 28,000 people, lying 90 minutes driving or commuting time from London.

It sits close to the old Kent coalfield, which closed for good about 20 years ago.
Since large-scale coal mining activities were unique to this area in the south east, there was nothing in the way of other processes, like steel manufacturing or other heavy industrial activities. Consequently, the area remains primarily a rural economy, with some dependency on cross-Channel transport.

However, the South East England Development Agency's Kent Coalfield Regeneration Programme aims to create approximately 2,500 new jobs in former colliery sites.

Betteshanger
The 120 hectare Betteshanger site near Deal is the largest of these sites and has received £18.8 million English Partnerships investment for a mixed-use development. The plan is to develop a new country park and a range of community and leisure amenities including playgrounds and a social club.
There is also permission for 22,500 square metres of commercial development, including the refurbishment of an existing building to create 550 square metres of new office space for small expanding businesses.