Our Properties
Discover more of what our accommodation has to offer.
Huggens's College is an oasis of tranquility within the town of Northfleet, within walking distance of Ebbsfleet International Railway Station and only a short distance from the River Thames. Our aim is to provide a secure and friendly place for the people who live there.
The College currently has 30 bungalows which were originally built in the 1960s. They are maintained to a high standard and as they become vacant they are upgraded. Each refurbished bungalow contains a spacious sitting room, main double bedroom, second smaller bedroom, an attractive kitchen and a bathroom which is fitted with modern equipment as a "wet room". All have gardens to the rear and look out onto the central lawn area. Parking for those Collegians who have their own cars and for visitors is nearby.
Refurbished bungalows also benefit from a new efficient central heating system, double-glazed windows and doors, a new porch, and a loft which has been insulated to the current recommended standard. These measures make for warmth and energy efficiency. Refurbished bungalows also have an enclosed rear garden area.
The communal area contains the Chapel, a community room (the College Room), kitchen area, library, and laundry room.
The Charity does not charge rent but instead Collegians pay a monthly maintenance charge which helps to pay for the upkeep of the houses and the College grounds. This is reviewed annually and any changes applied from 1st April each year. Collegians on low income may be entitled to Housing Benefit from Gravesham Borough Council.
The College recently sold some commercial properties it held nearby as an investment. The funds raised are to be used to reinvest into the College’s estate and planning permission is being sought for an ambitious rebuilding scheme. This will see the College expand the amount of accommodation it can offer and ultimately many of the current 1960’s housing stock will be replaced with new state of the art modern units designed for older living. It is likely the scheme will be implemented in stages and the timing of the project will largely depend on the level of financial support that can be obtained from relevant government agencies.
The Future
The Directors have decided that the proceeds from the sale of some commercial property should be used to increase the amount of almshouse accommodation that we provide. After considering all possible options, the Directors agreed that this could be best achieved by redeveloping the existing College.
Planning permission is currently being sought to demolish the existing bungalows and replace them with 96 flats. The development will be in blocks of two or three stories which will be built in five phases.
The first phase will be a block of ten flats built at one end of the central green and the second phase will be 30 flats replacing eleven of the existing bungalows.
The timing of the final three phases is not yet determined and will be dependent on the funding position, including the level of Government grants we receive.
The redevelopment will also increase the community spaces available for Collegians to use and improve the landscaping of the College. Accommodation will be available to enable family and friends of Collegians to stay when they visit.
The flats will be:
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Slightly bigger than the bungalows they replace and will be wheelchair accessible
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Have one bedroom with fitted cupboard space
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Be provided with an oven and hob, fridge and freezer, and a washing machine
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In the future, as these goods wear out, they will be replaced by the College.