Enhancing upon longstanding working relationships between registered housing provider Moat Housing and local developer Leath Park Developments, the site of the former Brockman Family Centre in Cheriton, Folkestone has been entirely transformed to provide much needed social rented units, in response to growing housing need in the area. Folkestone & Hythe District have an ongoing high demand for such accommodation, with more than 1,500 eligible households registered and waiting for suitable accommodation to become available. The development will go some way to assist in addressing this need and highlights the continuing importance of high-quality housing that is available to all.

A new lease of life for the former Brockman Family Centre

Date: November 2022

Working together in joint venture partnership, and with Folkestone-based main contractor Jenner Group engaged to build the twenty-seven new homes, the residential development replaces the derelict building with fit-for-purpose, modern and wholly affordable new homes for the region. The development comprises the design and build of nine houses, which are a carefully considered mix of six 3-bedroomed and three 4-bedroomed homes alongside eighteen 2-bedroomed apartments and all of which will be offered for social rent to local people, and ultimately makes perfect use of an unoccupied site that was previously prime territory for crime and vandalism.

Prior to construction activity commencing back in May 2021 the existing disused structure, which had stood dormant for many years as the former social services facility was demolished to allow construction of the brand-new homes to get underway. Russell Drury, Senior Land, New Business & Development Manager for Moat Housing commented at the time: “It is a pleasure to be working with Jenner on another project. This scheme not only makes excellent use of a vacant site but delivers high-quality family housing that will be truly affordable.”

Designed to a high standard by local architectural practice TaylorHare the homes are almost ‘tenure blind’; meaning they are not immediately recognisable as affordable living and ultimately avoiding differentiation in architectural and build quality across the region. The development certainly provides an exemplar for best practice in affordable housing development for the future and will undoubtedly positively impact upon its surrounding region. On the morning of Tuesday 1st November just days prior to final handover for subsequent occupation by its new residents, the Brockman regeneration was officially commemorated in the presence of senior members of the client management team, local council representatives and key members of the project consultancy and delivery team with Councillor David Godfrey Folkestone and Hythe District Council Cabinet member for Housing and Special Projects tasked with cutting the ribbon and officially opening the scheme. He said: “Partnership working has allowed us to ensure that this development delivers much-needed, high quality, social housing at affordable rent for our residents. It is incredibly important to the council and our housing association partners that tenants feel safe, happy and secure in their homes. The 27 properties will be advertised and let to households registered on the council’s housing list.”

Darren Welch, Managing Director of Leath Park Developments further commented: “Through our close working relationship with Moat and Jenner we have managed to create much needed affordable housing in the area making use of a previously derelict site”

The development includes a communal garden and all associated landscaping works to make this a desirable, vibrant, and safe place to reside and the team aspires that this will catalyse further regeneration of this nature to the betterment of the local region and its people.

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