Tonbridge Road, Maidstone
A run-down Victorian office in Maidstone has been converted into accommodation for people with learning difficulties as part of Kent’s No Use Empty (NUE) initiative to recycle empty buildings.
An unassuming three storey block opposite the Vine Medical Centre in Tonbridge Road has been unveiled. Mark Dance, KCC cabinet member for Economic Development was invited to officially open the new flats.
Nine flats have been created by the £280,000 development of the building, which was purchased in 2001 by Accommodation Y.E.S. (Your Empowering Service) and initially used it as its offices.
The family owned company runs long and short term accommodation for vulnerable adults as well as helping people towards independent living.
After moving out of the business it got planning permission from Maidstone Borough Council and secured a loan of £175,000 from NUE.
Accommodation Y.E.S. housing manager Iza O Shea said: “Crucial to our goal of empowering people to live full and active lives in a more independent way is providing affordable well-equipped accommodation. This is a challenging given the reluctance of most lenders to make capital available to us, so we are delighted to have partnered with NUE to deliver this. It has supported us no end to make this a successful project.”
Steve Grimshaw, programme manager for NUE at KCC said: “This started as a means of returning empty dwellings to use;10 years on we are exploring ways of delivering new homes from dilapidated commercial premises and providing homes that respond to a very specific need within a community.”
Individuals will benefit from low cost heating and energy bills now and well into the future. A brand new ground source heat pump has been installed. Solar panels, a fire alarm system and specialist entrance system with CCTV security are also included in the design to make this property a safe and secure environment for all.