Stanhope Community Centre in Ashford, Kent is just one key part of a new fifty million pound regeneration programme to develop 442 homes, a commercial and retail centre plus the refurbishment, maintenance and management of existing dwellings and public spaces. The full development will take place on 10 sites. The homes built are 70% affordable housing (for social rent and shared ownership) and 30% for private sale.

Appleyards has been appointed to act as a Technical Advisor and Employer's Agent for the PFI project. Gleeson Capital Solutions, a PFI subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society has created the Chrysalis Consortium to bid for this scheme. Gleeson's partners in the Consortium are the Kent-based Moat Housing Group, delivering housing management services.

Major challenges both physical and social make this project a must-see success and a potentially huge achievement. For example, refurbishment works will be carried out with tenants still in occupation; there are strict funding dependant programme dates and project procedures and protocols that must be complied with.