'Eyesore Pigeon Hotel' turned into flats

A Folkestone property once dubbed the "Pigeon Hotel" has been transformed into flats.

Located at 45 Augusta Gardens, it had stood empty for nearly 20 years, inhabited by pigeons and had most of its floors missing.

It was the subject of multiple complaints and a petition, with a potential compulsory purchase order from Folkestone and Hythe District Council looming.

Developer Will Brown purchased the property in January 2022 after receiving support from No Use Empty (NUE) and said the scheme allowed him to "eliminate eyesores" and "create housing".

The NUE is Kent County Council's loan initiative, allowing developers to turn empty homes back into use.

The local authority told the BBC it cost about £850,000 and took three years to transform the property into five flats.

New tenants have moved in since the end of January with more expected to follow.

Derek Murphy, the council's cabinet member for economic development, said: "The NUE is an absolutely no-brainer scheme.

"It creates homes and business, benefiting the entire local community.

"It contributes considerably to the regeneration of the street scene, and raises revenue."

Councillor Rebecca Shoob, Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: "It's wonderful that this property has been given a new lease of life after being an eyesore for so long."

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