Eight news flats will be built at Stockdale Gardens in Deal as part of a £3 million scheme to provide accommodation to the temporarily homeless.

The development for local people will be be built in the garage area - a brownfield site already owned by Dover District Council - and is expected to be ready by the end of next year.

The new accommodation aims to reduce the council's reliance and expenditure on B&Bs which is the usual route taken to support those who find themselves without a roof over their heads.

The one-bedroom units will be treated as a short term solution for people while something permanent is secured for their housing needs.

The authority has also approved plans for 16 studio flats at Kimberley Close in Dover .

Features include communal facilities such as laundry rooms, cycle racks, car parking, and refuse and recycling storage.

Cllr Derek Murphy, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re determined to continue to invest in our housing stock and to provide practical solutions to the challenge of homelessness.

“These new homes provide an affordable solution that enables us to help local people who find themselves unexpectedly homeless with somewhere comfortable to stay whilst a permanent home is found for them.”

DDC is currently tendering for local builders to carry out the work.

Other projects currently underway as part of DDC's plans to build 500 new homes include 65 new homes at William Muge and Snelgrove, eight units at Folkestone Road in Dover, and planning permission for 26 new homes at Napchester Road in Whitfield.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal