Helix Group is to build 14 new affordable homes on three former garage sites across Swanley for West Kent Housing Association.
The £2.8m project is the largest garage regeneration plan the 7,900-home housing association has undertaken in recent years and will see Helix build a mixture of homes and flats, with all the properties to be let by West Kent at affordable rents.
Kate Flaherty, Property Development and Partnerships Director at West Kent Housing Association, said: “This is the first time in West Kent’s history that we have taken on a project like this. We’re replacing garages that weren’t fit for purpose anymore with homes for people that really need them.”
Work will begin clearing and preparing the sites in March, with construction on the first new homes beginning in May.
Tracy Allison, Chief Executive at West Kent, added: “We’re excited to see this project getting started and for our ambition to provide more affordable homes across Kent to be realised.”
Nic Davies, Managing Director at Helix Group, said: “This is our first job with West Kent and we are really proud they have chosen us to deliver such an important project for them and their residents.
“We have good experience of building a range of affordable homes across the South East. As a local SME builder and consultant we know the importance of providing good-quality affordable homes to help West Kent and others tackle the ongoing housing crisis in the region.”
Nic added: “Also, as the 14 new homes will be built on former garage sites in residential areas, our first-class resident liaison skills and proven track record in great community engagement will be key to the successful delivery of these homes.”
As an important part of the project, Helix aims to achieve up to 40% improvement in energy performance compared to Building Regulations, through its expertise in sustainable technologies including ground-source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels.
