Location: Havelock Street & Old Ruttington Lane | Canterbury
student Studio accommodation
Completed: Summer 2021
Architect: Taylor Roberts Ltd
Main Contractor: Abbott Construction Ltd

The Queningate site sits between Havelock Street and Old Ruttington Lane just outside the historic City walls. The site once contained rows of terraced cottages facing the two road frontages. These houses were bombed during the war.

Post war until recently the site contained a prefabricated classroom and car parking. We were able to provide a scheme that gives the appearance of traditional street frontage town housing, with traditional detailing to the joinery, stone and brickwork and still working to modern building standards, providing the tenants with a modern facilities and energy efficient accommodation.

The development was constructed in 3 phases giving a total of 42 studio units. The scheme originally caused local residents to unite against the use of the site as student accommodation.

However, following approval of the scheme, close contact between ourselves, the main contractor and the residents meant we were able to build the development with minimal disruptions, enhance the area and dispel worries about the kind of disturbances student tenants cause in residential areas.

Quote from a neighbouring resident:

‘I was apprehensive about the plan to build a student residence close to my house and in our residential street. I am pleased to say that we were consulted throughout the process of construction, which involved only minimal disruption. The resulting building is a pleasing addition to the street, and the occupants have given us no problems.’