Work to build 14 new affordable homes on three former garage sites in Swanley is well underway through a £2.8m project by West Kent Housing Association and its contractor Helix Group.
Carl Mulkern and Nic Davies, Co-Managing Directors at Helix Group, welcomed Tracy Allison, Chief Executive at West Kent Housing Association, last month in order to show her the work at Kettlewell Court in Swanley, Kent. As part of this regeneration scheme, Helix is also busy working on the development of a mix of flats and houses for West Kent, on the sites of outdated garages at Northview and Pear Tree Close.
Local SME contractor and consultant Helix began the project this time last year and all 14 affordable homes will be ready for local residents to move into by August.
The 7,900-home housing association has good experience delivering this kind of regeneration project, assembling pockets of underutilised land to deliver affordable homes. In total, West Kent plans to grow to 10,000 homes by 2025 in order to help meet local housing need.
Working with Helix Group, West Kent has been able to think creatively to help meet growing housing demand in Swanley, and to deliver on its organisational objective to develop an increasing number of affordable and sustainable homes.
All properties being delivered by the partners in Swanley will have electric air source heat pumps and be insulated above the levels dictated by the Building Regulations. One of the properties is being extended into a bespoke wheelchair user home. As well as the usual adapted kitchen with adjustable worktops and specialist white goods, Helix are installing a wheelchair lift in the new extension to allow the resident to access the first floor.
Tracy Allison, Chief Executive at West Kent Housing Association, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering much needed affordable, family housing for social rent in an area that really will really benefit from new homes.
“The scheme is testament to the strength of our relationship with Helix and together we will build housing to the of highest standards, that local residents are proud to call home.”
Nic Davies, Managing Director at Helix Group, commented: “It’s been great having Tracy on the site to see their vision becoming a reality. Because we are building in residential areas, the development is very close to the community that these homes will become a part of.
“Providing a safe place for people to call home is at the centre of what we do, and it is clear from working with West Kent that they are ready to expand and support those who need it.”
Header image shows from left to right: Tracy Allison, Mark Gregson, Elizabeth Nakyanzi, Nic Davies, Mateusz Brzozowski and Carl Mulkern.
