A former garage site in Dover has been transformed into 16 studio flats to provide interim housing for local people facing homelessness.
The development has been built by Dover District Council as part of its commitment to develop more interim homes to reduce the reliance on B&B accommodation.
The new flats in Walter Hammond Close were handed over from contractors Jenner to the council on January 6 and will be let at social rents.
As part of DDC’s pledge to tackle climate change, the accommodation has had cutting edge solar panel systems installed on the roof. The flats also have a lockable bike shed to encourage greener forms of travel, although there is also on-site parking.
The development follows the recent completion of a similar scheme in Elizabeth Carter Court in Deal, which has provided eight flats for interim accommodation.
Another interim housing build, in Poulton Close in Dover, for 24 residential units has also been granted planning permission.
Cllr Derek Murphy, cabinet member for social housing, said: “The new studio flats in Walter Hammond Close will help reduce the reliance on using B&Bs for people who find themselves unexpectedly homeless.”
“It will provide a short-term place to stay while a more permanent and suitable solution to people’s housing needs is found.”
“This new development highlights the ongoing work by DDC to build high quality, green homes to create an affordable solution for local people needing somewhere to live.”
Notes to editors:
Walter Hammond Close, formerly known as Kimberley Close, was named after Dover-born England cricket legend Walter ‘Wally’ Hammond. He is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket, and played 85 test matches for England, scoring 7,249 runs. He also briefly played professional football for Bristol Rovers.
DDC has an ambitious programme to build up to 500 affordable homes across the district.
A development of 26 affordable homes in Napchester Road in Whitfield is nearing completion. These are a mix of one and two-bedroom flats along with two, three, and four-bedroom houses.
A five-bedroom house suitable for wheelchair users is being built as part of the Napchester Road scheme, designed to provide accommodation for a family with additional accessibility requirements.
Posted on 11 January 2023