Queens House Folkestone: The only occupants are the pigeons
Once a place of hustle and bustle where social workers helped put the world to rights for their clients, the building now stands silent. No shuffling of feet, no noise except the wind, no windows, just another building left open to the elements, the only occupants are the pigeons.
Queens House sits neatly on the corner of Sandgate Rd and Guildhall Street in Folkestone.
This property, the former home of Kent County Council’s Social Services was bought by CEPF II Meteor Investments S.A.R.L (incorporated in Luxembourg an offshore tax haven) of 14 Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy Of Luxembourg, for £2 million on the 27 January 2017 according to the land registry.
CEPF II Meteor Investments S.A.R.L wanted to turn the upper floors into 24 self contained apartments, 8 per floor, this meant seeking planning permission for change of use from B1(a) (Office to C3 (Dwelling)
Since the initial application (Y18/0018/PA) a further five applications were submitted. However after the fifth application made on the 14 May 2021, the building was sold at a substantial loss.
Purchased for £2m in 2017, it was sold to Russell & Broadway Ltd on the 22 March 2022, for £175,000, according to the land registry.
The ultimate owner of the building is Mr Kritanand Nathoo (pictured), who is an accountant and was granted the freedom of the city of London on the 2 July 2019. He is a member of the The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers.
The final application – the sixth – sought to add 6 new roof top duplex dwellings (red dots) above the existing building. Permission was granted on the 5 Sept 2022
Since Sept 2022, scaffolding went up and a second fix began internally and the windows were removed. But now it sits empty and open, it houses nobody, the only sounds are the wind and the only occupants are the pigeons.
Six years on since it was first purchased by an offshore company, and six planning applications later, the building remains empty and a blot on the landscape. Surely it is time for the owner to take responsibility and finish the building. As we all know, Folkestone is short on suitable housing, and a further addition of up to 30 homes (flats) would be welcome.
The Shepway Vox Team
Journalism for the People NOT the Powerful
Totally agree. Dereliction of this type soon contributes to a sense that nobody cares for the town centre. Much significant development of a gentrification type has been or is in process in the harbour area, but here surely might be an opportunity to create genuinely affordable accommodation for local people of modest means, or indeed social housing for the community.
Not seen any progress.. 7 months later. What a shame and right by the town centre where so many retail buildings empty up to and including the old Debenham’s. Useless council and greedy owners.