Maidstone welcomes new affordable housing developments
Wilberforce House and Len Martin Court provide 43 new homes for residents
Wilberforce House and Len Martin Court, located at Tonbridge Road and Corbens Place respectively, offer a total of 43 new homes.
The developments are part of Maidstone Borough Council's partnership with Skillcrown Homes to address the growing demand for affordable housing in the area.
Providing a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, Len Martin Court offers 24 homes, while Wilberforce House provides 19 homes, transforming previously underused sites into modern residences.
These homes are designed with energy-efficient features, including electric heat pumps for hot water and electric heating systems, aiding residents in reducing their environmental impact and potentially lowering energy bills.
Councillor Simon Wales, Maidstone Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, expressed the importance of affordable housing, stating, "Safe, secure and affordable housing can change people's lives."
He added that the hope is more local people will benefit from the development:
"For many local families and individuals, finding a genuinely affordable home is becoming increasingly difficult, which is why increasing the supply of affordable housing remains one of the council's key priorities.
"The completion of Wilberforce House and Len Martin Court means more local people will have access to high-quality homes they can afford, helping them put down roots, build stable futures and remain part of the communities they know and love."
Matt Arnold, Land & Development Director at Skillcrown Homes, echoed the sentiment: “Reaching completion at Wilberforce House and Len Martin Court is a really satisfying moment for everyone involved. When we entered into this partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, the aim was not simply to construct new homes, but to deliver homes of a quality that we could all be proud of and that residents will enjoy living in for many years to come. We are very proud that Skillcrown is playing a part in helping turn that ambition into completed homes.”
The developments form part of the council's broader ambition to deliver 1,000 affordable homes across the borough over ten years.
Residents are expected to move into their new homes soon, and future phases at Corbens Place and Granville Road are already underway.