Arup and Fletcher Priest Architects have been appointed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council, supported by Homes England, to design and obtain planning permission for a sustainable housing-led scheme on a former gasworks site on Ship Street, derelict as far back as 1956.
An event giving an opportunity for residents to inform the project brief was held in March 2022 and the ever-evolving design will benefit from further valuable public engagement in the near future.
The project contributes to the Place Plan for Folkestone Town Centre – a vision to guide the town centre’s evolution for years to come, attracting investment and bringing together community groups whilst addressing the climate emergency. The Place Plan was developed by We Made That with extensive contribution from Fletcher Priest Architects.
Acquired by the council in 2021, the Ship Street site is situated in a strategically important position within a 5-minute walk from the centre of Folkestone. The project seeks to enhance permeability through the site via a new green car-free link, creating a pedestrian route from the station to the town centre and harbour area. This green link will include a shared green amenity in a pocket park and sustainable drainage systems, to promote healthy and sustainable living with community engagement.
The scheme comprises around 150 homes in a mix of houses, duplexes and apartments, and is designed to encourage sustainable lifestyles with incentives to promote using public transport, cycling, and car clubs. The scheme could also provide space for a small number of commercial units, as well as public creative and cultural space. The design also looks to preserve the historic retaining walls where possible.
Working closely with visionary arts charity Creative Folkestone, the team is reviewing options to integrate art and creativity into the project. Through the Folkestone Triennial and other initiatives, Creative Folkestone has previously opened the site to the local community.
Rehana Raja, UKIMEA Commercial Property Lead at Arup says:
“We are proud to be providing a design-led team on the regeneration of a brownfield site for Folkestone & Hythe District Council in partnership with Fletcher Priest Architects and Homes England. The development will deliver sustainable new homes for the community, using low carbon, adaptive and regenerative design, sustainable construction and promote healthy living.”
Stina Hokby, Associate Partner at Fletcher Priest Architects comments:
“The appointment to repurpose the Ship Street site is a brilliant continuation of our collaboration with Folkestone & Hythe District Council. We look forward to working with Arup, the council and the community to deliver a next generation housing scheme that will benefit the local neighbourhood whilst respecting the history of the site.”
Cllr David Godfrey, Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s Cabinet Member for Special Projects, added:
We are looking forward to bringing the site forward, helping to repair this long-standing tear in the urban fabric of Folkestone. We continue in our plan to transform this unsightly plot into a highly attractive and sustainable development that benefits the local community and positively adds to the distinctive cultural character of Folkestone.”
Arup will lead the Technical Design team, with Fletcher Priest as Architecture & Urban Design Lead.
