Thanet council awarded £4m for empty homes revamp

Parts of Margate have high levels of low quality housing, says the council

A Kent council has been awarded more than £4m to being empty properties back into use.

Thanet District Council said it was planning on improving about 160 homes in parts of Cliftonville and Margate.

The £4,130,932, from the government's Cluster of Empty Homes fund, will be used to buy empty properties from owners for demolition or redevelopment.

The council said some properties will be converted into affordable social housing for families.

Madeline Homer, from the council, said: "Cliftonville West and Central Margate have been highlighted as areas with high levels of poor quality housing and deprivation, and this is something the council is determined to tackle.

"Empty properties can have a significantly negative impact on the environment - particularly if whole streets are affected."