Good progress continues to be made on schemes delivering 70 new affordable, green homes in the Folkestone and Hythe district.
The construction of 20 flats and six houses is currently underway at the former Smiths/Portex site, forming part of the wider Sutherland Park development being built by Roddy Homes in Hythe. Simultaneously, 44 properties secured at Risborough Barracks in Shorncliffe are due to be completed in May 2026.
All of these homes will be made available to tenants on the housing list at affordable rents through Kent Homechoice or shared ownership shortly after the work is finished next year.
The homes are designed to be 100% fossil fuel-free, incorporating air source heat pumps and solar panels. The properties at Shorncliffe will receive significant energy efficiency upgrades, bringing their rating up to an EPC rating B. These energy-saving measures are intended to keep costs down for future residents and actively support the council’s carbon emission reduction strategy. Cllr Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, stated:
“These new affordable homes are taking shape nicely and I look forward to seeing residents moving in next year.”
The overall scheme forms part of the council’s commitment to providing new affordable homes across the district. Other acquisitions to increase the local housing stock are currently in the pipeline.