Three new bungalows are being built on a “back land” site for hard-up retirees as part of a drive to deliver more social housing.

The one-bedroom homes in Swanscombe are the work of the Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe.

They will be erected to the rear of Milton Street on land previously occupied by a Scout hut which was demolished between 2006 and 2007.

Project spokesman Glen Keeling said: “The project has been a few years in the making but following planning approval excellent progress has been made to turn the vision into reality.”

The properties, which are being built using a timber frame to speed up construction, will be available to qualifying “beneficiaries” with a connection to Swanscombe and Greenhithe, aged 55 years or over, who are of limited financial means.

Residents will pay a weekly maintenance contribution which is similar to rent but different in law, and less than at the commercial rate.

The single-storey development will double the properties provided by the charity within the past five years and trustees say they are committed to achieving the same result in the next five years.

The brownfield site also includes five parking spaces, which will be accessed via Wallace Gardens, and a communal area for occupiers to use.

It is expected the new social homes will be ready by November or December this year.

The Consolidated Swanscombe Almshouse charity, supported by the Almshouse Association, has been self-funding accommodation for those most in need for more than 100 years.

They are still actively fundraising and hope to increase their number of properties in the future and offer employment opportunities to residents. Click here to find out more about the charity.

The plans for the site were approved by Dartford council in February.