Abandoned Dover New-Build Estate Raises Concerns for Homebuyers as Enzo Homes Goes Bust
An unfinished housing development in Dover has been abandoned after the developer went into liquidation, raising serious concerns for potential homebuyers and the local community alike.
The White Cliff Court development on Folkestone Road, consisting of 29 partially completed new-build homes, now sits empty and chained off after Wales-based company Enzo's Homes collapsed, with liquidators appointed in late February.
Environmental Impact and Enforcement Action
The development has been controversial from the outset, creating what Dover District Council (DDC) leader Kevin Mills described as a "horrendous chalk scar" on the Kent Downs, a designated National Landscape area. The extensive chalk exposure is reportedly visible from miles away, with Councillor Mills remarking it was "probably the only site you can see from the moon."
In August last year, DDC imposed a two-month halt on certain engineering work at the site amid concerns about harm to wildlife and the area's "scenic beauty." By November, the council had issued an enforcement notice, describing the depositing of chalk as an "unauthorised operation" resulting in an "unsympathetic alteration to the site and wider landscape."
The notice required the developer to reinstate the land to its previous levels, remove all resultant material, and deposit a layer of topsoil over the land. However, an appeal process against this enforcement notice is currently underway, with the decision now in the hands of the planning inspectorate.
Uncertain Future for Potential Homebuyers
Despite the company's liquidation, the White Cliff Court properties are still being marketed on Enzo's Homes' website, with prices ranging from £300,000 for a three-bedroom property to £550,000 for a five-bedroom home.
Of particular concern is the possibility that some properties may have already been sold off-plan, a common practice in new developments. This raises serious questions about the financial implications for anyone who may have committed to purchasing one of these properties.
Maxton ward councillor Michael Nee expressed his concerns to local media: "I have huge fears for the immediate future and that it could be local people who are burnt. It could be a big hit to contractors or anyone who placed an offer on one of the houses, and they could have to pay the price."
Community Concerns
Local residents fear the abandoned site could become a "ghost town" and potentially attract vandalism if left derelict. The development's future remains uncertain, with possible scenarios including a new developer taking over the project or the site being demolished and rebuilt, which would extend the disruption for nearby residents.
One local resident, Millie Marshall, commented: "Whoever takes on the site now has to sort a massive pile of unstable chalk. The view from my house shows how deep the chalk is - it should never have been allowed."
Corporate Complications
According to Companies House records, while Enzo's Homes has gone into liquidation, a separate company called Enzo's Developments Latep (White Cliff Court) Ltd remains active. Fiorenzo Sauro, director of Enzo's Homes, resigned from this company on 6 March, with Ankith Hitesh Patel now listed as the new director.
Stephen Goderski and Oliver Collinge of PKF Littlejohn Advisory, who were appointed joint liquidators for an Enzo's Homes industrial site in Wales, stated: "Enzo's Homes traded for nearly 13 years prior to its liquidation. We will be engaging with all relevant stakeholders to maximise the return to creditors."
Lessons for New-Build Homebuyers
This situation highlights the importance of thorough due diligence when purchasing new-build properties, especially when buying off-plan. Prospective homebuyers are advised to:
Research the developer's track record and financial stability
Ensure proper legal protections are in place before committing funds
Consider a professional snagging inspection prior to completion
Be aware of potential enforcement actions or planning disputes that might affect the development
This is not the first such incident in Kent. In 2021, a luxury 16-home development in Chatham was similarly abandoned after its developer went into liquidation. In that case, a new developer eventually took over, and the project was nearly completed.
As this situation develops, Snagging.org will continue to monitor events and provide updates relevant to new-build homebuyers.
For information on protecting yourself when purchasing a new-build property, including professional snagging inspections, please visit our dedicated resources section.
