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FTSE 250 group Galliford Try wins £38m construction contract to build social care apartments for older and vulnerable people in Kent

A company based in London with revenues of £1.5 billion has been chosen as the preferred bidder for a £38m construction contract to build 220 apartments for older and vulnerable people in Kent.

FTSE 250 housebuilding group Galliford Try will deliver seven schemes under the Excellent Homes for All project.

The company was selected by Kent County Council and five district and borough councils.

Galliford Try are KCC's preferred bidder for a £38m contract to build 220 apartments
Galliford Try are KCC's preferred bidder for a £38m contract to build 220 apartments

The firm will now apply for planning permission for the facilities in Tenterden, Stone near Dartford, Whitfield near Dover, Hawkhurst near Tunbridge Wells, Ramsgate and Ashford.

It is hoped building will get underway next year, with late 2015 targeted for opening.

The extra care apartments are a kind of sheltered housing with 24-hour support. They are an alternative to residential care.

Kent County Council leader Paul Carter said: “The Excellent Homes for All project will enable hundreds of vulnerable people to continue to live happily in their local communities.

“It will provide homes for life with 24-hour support and demonstrates the commitment of partners to develop great services for older and vulnerable people.

Kent County Council leader Paul Carter
Kent County Council leader Paul Carter

“In addition it will create new local jobs and training places. We are very pleased to be working with Galliford Try and West Kent Housing Association to deliver these facilities.”

To complete the project, Galliford Try will have to build a special purpose vehicle to develop the social housing.

Once the buildings are complete, Galliford Try’s facilities management business will look after the apartments. That contract is expected to be worth £36m.

KCC will receive a £63.8m grant from central government for the cost of construction and maintenance of the project.

Running costs will be recovered through the charges to residents.

Galliford Try chief executive Greg Fitzgerald said: “We are delighted to have been selected for this significant contract by Kent County Council.

“We continue to demonstrate our expertise in providing high quality facilities for vulnerable people.

“The multi-faceted nature of this contract provides further evidence that our diverse business allows us to offer clients integrated solutions to solve their problems.”

There will be five sets of extra care apartments built at Little Hill in Tenterden, Manorbrook in London Road in Stone near Dartford, Cornfields in Cranleigh Drive in Whitfield near Dover, Bowles Lodge in All Saints Road in Hawkhurst near Tunbridge Wells and on the former Newington primary school site in Ramsgate.

Two blocks of supported apartments will be built at Queens Road in Ashford and Newington Road in Ramsgate.

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