Thanet District Council is committed to delivering the affordable and social housing urgently needed for local people.
As part of the work that is going on to achieve this ambition, the council is building new affordable housing at four brownfield sites. These sites are located in Dane Valley and Tomlin Drive in Margate, and Clements Road and Staner Court in Ramsgate. In total, 49 new affordable homes will be provided at these locations.
In a bid to improve the visual appearance of the areas while construction takes place, the council is partnering with Margate-based organisation Rise Up Clean Up, to decorate the wooden hoardings surrounding the sites, with colourful murals.
Over the weekend of Saturday 31 August – Sunday 1 September, seven local artists painted the hoardings surrounding the Dane Valley development in Margate. The hoardings had previously been defaced with unsightly graffiti and tagging. Residents and the local community were involved, suggesting themes and taking part in selecting the colour palette for the works.
The Dane Valley mural includes a thread of ocean awareness and sustainability messages, tying in with both the council’s corporate priority to protect our environment, and the Rise Up Clean Up manifesto. It is hoped that further artworks will be created at the other three affordable housing sites later this year. The council is exploring ways in which local schools and colleges could be engaged in plans for any future murals on other council sites.
Building is due to commence at all four sites in September 2024, with completion expected in late 2025 and early 2026. Once completed, the new homes will be rented to people on the council’s housing register, including people leaving temporary accommodation. Further information on the council’s affordable housing programme can be viewed on the council’s website.
Cllr Helen Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Good housing provision is far more than creating buildings; it is creating homes, and communities. Being able to enjoy your surroundings is essential. Using all stages of our construction to produce art and community projects, alongside providing genuinely affordable housing simply makes sense. It also ensures that our housing is truly linked to local people.
“We are letting homes to local households in need, and building a holistic and educational approach to our housing and construction. I look forward to developing this strategy across our other sites, and growing links with local schools and pupils, so that they can get involved in future projects.
“I would like to thank all of the artists that took part in the mural event at Dane Valley, for their creativity, commitment and time. Everyone involved in producing these artworks should be incredibly proud; it has taken extraordinary effort from both artists and organisers.”
Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Coastal Services, said: “Now that the Dane Valley hoardings are decorated with these fantastic artworks, I sincerely hope that other people will be put off covering them with the kind of tags that make an area look unloved and uncared for.
“We are pushing ahead with the removal of illegal tagging and unauthorised graffiti across the district. On the other hand, this initiative shows what can be achieved by working with local talent. A huge thank you to Rise Up Clean Up, the artists, and everyone involved.”
A litter pick also took place during the mural painting event, further improving the visual appeal of the Dane Valley area.
Anyone who would like to report instances of illegal graffiti, can do so on the council’s website.
There is further information on how to organise or join a planned litter pick on the council’s website.
All photos: credit Louis Masai
