Firmly established as the longest running empty property initiative in the country (launched in 2005), No Use Empty (NUE) remains committed to reducing long-term empty dwellings that have been unoccupied for over six months.
NUE is delivered by Kent County Council (KCC) in partnership with all 12 Kent district councils. Our co-ordinated approach has returned over 8,382 empty homes back into use through a range of interventions including short term secured loans to provide good quality housing.
NUE also provides funding to return long term empty commercial properties to use for alternative commercial or mixed-use purposes. Short-term interest-bearing loans are available to developers of derelict/vacant sites, to primarily create new build residential units in Kent.
A Recent Success – Preston Street, Faversham
No Use Empty assisted local developers Ratio Developments Ltd in converting and refurbishing a former commercial building into 6 stunning homes all up to the decent homes standard.
The building was originally arranged as a ground floor lock up commercial unit with offices on the ground and first floor. Planning was granted in June 2021 to convert the building into 6 self contained flats (1 under permitted development). A commercial unit has also been retained and refurbished on the ground floor.
Ratio Developments Ltd said “A massive thank you for believing in us and the project! We have reached a successful conclusion by creating a great product with 6 new rental units added to the housing stock for the community”.
