Council Talk

Aproject filmed for a future edition of Homes Under the Hammer was officially opened by the Mayor of Ashford, Cllr John Link, on Friday. This was as a result of a proposal last year to purchase and transform Christchurch House, in Christchurch Road, Ashford, which was a rundown commercial property, and turn it into good-quality short-stay accommodation for people to whom the council has a homeless duty or have a case under assessment.

This proposal has been turned into reality by Ashford Borough Council buying the property at auction in December 2013 and transforming it into eight accommodation units.

Traditionally, homeless applicants have been placed in bed and breakfast accommodation; not only is this costly for the taxpayer, but it is traumatic for the individuals and families affected.

Whilst the council may not be able to house all homeless applicants in Christchurch Road, it will save the taxpayer around £75,000 a year, meaning the property will pay for itself in a short space of time, after which the council will have a valuable asset. This may be replicated elsewhere once the success of the scheme has been evaluated.

A proposal to build a foot and cycle path of more than a mile to connect the existing cycle path in Sheepfold Lane, Park Farm, directly to Ashford’s Asda store will, on the September 19, become another reality. The Willesborough Dykes foot and cycle path will be officially opened to the public, with the Mayor of Ashford cutting the