Thanet council wants to buy Foy House in Margate to convert into new flats
13:10, 28 August 2019
updated: 13:21, 28 August 2019
A council is eyeing up a former office block and aims to convert the building into new homes.
Thanet District Council (TDC) hopes to buy Foy House in Margate town centre - which was previously used by Orbit Housing Association.
Councillors will discuss the proposals when they are put forward to the cabinet on September 19.
A report will outline the plans to buy the building - located opposite the Sands Hotel in the High Street - and ask members to approve spending the cash to acquire the site.
Agreement by councillors will also grant permission for officers to fund the work to convert the building into new homes from the council's capital budget.
The cost of the project has not been finalised and a purchase fee is "subject to contract", the council says.
The property has been vacant since February - the same month approval was granted by TDC planning officers allowing the use of the building to change from offices to residential.
An application from Orbit last December outlined ambitions to create eight flats.
TDC confirmed to KentOnline it has not drawn up a masterplan for the building should it succeed in purchasing the site.
But the council says it will carry out a feasibilty study to investigate "options for the site if and when the property is acquired".
A TDC spokesman said: "The council is seeking to purchase the empty property and secure the longer term use and management of the building.
"Through the existing acquisition programme and Margate Housing Intervention project, the council acquires new build and existing street properties to meet housing needs.
"The council has invested in bringing back into use empty properties, converting and refurbishing to provide much needed homes.
"Currently projects are tendered and delivered by local contractors. This proposal to purchase an empty building is in line with this strategy."
