Families waiting for a home in a new housing development will now have to wait another three weeks after two boilers were ripped off the wall and stolen.

The housing development at the former Riverdale Hotel at 40-46 Sweyn Road, Cliftonville, was broken into and water damage was caused because of the boiler theft.

It has put the completion date of the homes back by around three weeks, which the council says will 'have a knock on effect on those on the waiting list'.

A post on the council Facebook page said: "We were really disappointed to hear that the fabulous new housing development in Sweyn Road, Cliftonville was broken into on Tuesday night.

"The property was unlawfully entered and two Valiant eco-tech plus 832 boilers have been stolen.

"They were ripped off the wall, causing water damage.

"Police have fingerprinted the property but if you can help with any information, please telephone 101."

The cost of the damage and flooding is estimated at £10,000, before VAT.

It will require redecoration of the affected kitchens, bedroom and hallway walls and ceilings, removal of kitchen units to allow pipework to be removed and reinstated, two replacement boilers and electrical and mechanical re-testing and re-commissioning.

The cost in time will be around three weeks meaning that the homes will not be ready until February 2018.

Following the theft, the site has been re-secured and is being fitted with movement sensors and CCTV to prevent any further risks to the project during these final weeks.

Cllr Reverend Stuart Piper, cabinet member for housing and open spaces, said: “The theft of the boilers and all the damage caused will delay completion of these much-needed homes by around three weeks.

"Not only is there a substantial cost to the council, but it will also have a knock on effect on those on the housing waiting list, meaning that families in need of decent places to live will have to wait even longer.”

Police are now looking for information.

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police has received a report of a theft in Sweyn Road, Cliftonville, Margate reported to have taken place at a building site between 4.30pm on Tuesday 28 November and 8am the following day.

“Two Valliant ecoTEC combination boilers were reportedly stolen.

“Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting ZY/59060/17.”

Work started at this property in August 2016 as part of the council’s ‘Live Margate’ intervention programme in association with Kent County Council.

The scheme will create two four-bed houses, two three-bed maisonettes and two two-bed flats in place of the original 23 bedroom property that had been used for bedsits and was fire-damaged.