Thirty new homes planned at former school site

The land where the homes will be built was bought by the Highview Development Company for £800,000

Thirty new homes are set to be built on the site of a former school in Kent.

The properties, 22% of which will be affordable, will be built on Moat Farm Road in Folkestone, once the home of Highview School which closed in 2016.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council bought the 2.25-acre plot the following year with the intention of developing a housing scheme itself.

With this no longer viable, the council sold the land for £800,000 to Highview Development Company.

Money secured through the Brownfield Land Release Fund was used to prepare the site for market, inclduing demolishing the derelict school, completing essential ecology work and securing planning permission.

Councillor Rebecca Shoob, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: "Our positive intervention has de-risked the site and enabled a local developer to take the site forward and provide much-needed new homes for the district.

"I'm delighted Highview Development Company plans to deliver the sustainable design concept worked up by the council."