DDC has been awarded £480,000 in grant funding to prepare a brownfield site in Dover for the council to build 24 affordable homes for local people facing homelessness.
The government grant is from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities via the second round of its Brownfield Land Release Fund, through its partnership with One Public Estate.
This money will allow the stalled development in Poulton Close to restart, paving the way for more affordable homes in the district.
The development involves construction of two three-storey blocks of flats on brownfield land to the west of the St Radigunds Community Centre.
These 24 homes will be used for interim housing for local people who are on the council house waiting list and unexpectedly facing homelessness.
The development, which is on council-owned land, has planning permission but work has been delayed due to the cost of remediating the site to make it suitable for construction.
However, thanks to this latest grant funding, works to remediate the site can commence, in preparation for the construction of the new affordable homes.
The new Labour administration has pledged to add 200 council homes a year to DDC’s existing stock.
Cllr Pam Brivio, DDC’s cabinet member for housing, said: “It is brilliant news that we have secured this funding which will help kick-start this much-needed development of interim housing.
“These flats will provide some comfort and stability to people unexpectedly facing homelessness, rather than them being placed in a B&B which can be unsettling during what is undoubtedly a stressful time.
“This kind of development will reduce reliance on expensive B&B accommodation, which comes at a huge cost to DDC, and will provide temporary support while a more permanent solution to people’s housing needs is found.”
Notes to editors
Dover District Council is committed to delivering an ambitious programme of new council housing, including homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and interim housing.
Find out more about our affordable housing schemes here www.dover.gov.uk/Housing/Housing-Development/Housing-Development.aspx
The One Public Estate programme is a partnership between the Office of Government Property in the Cabinet Office, the Local Government Association and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It provides practical and technical support and funding for public sector partners to deliver ambitious property-led programmes in collaboration.
Posted on 10 October 2023