More affordable homes could soon be springing up inside Thanet’s ugliest eyesores.

It follows the conversion of a building in Cliftonville which had been in disrepair for more than 20 years.

The property at 77 Eastern Esplanade has now been converted into four one and two bedroom flats which will be offered on a shared ownership basis to help people on low incomes onto the property ladder.

Cllr Zita Wiltshire, cabinet member for housing at Thanet council, said: “It’s all too easy for people to look at derelict buildings and wonder why nothing appears to be happening but our officers often have to deal with complex problems before work can finally get underway.

“It’s wonderful to see this beautiful seaside property finally back in use after so much hard work over the last couple of years.”

The property is one of nearly 250 previously empty properties around the island that have been brought back into use.

When Town and Country Housing, the council’s preferred affordable housing partners, began to renovate the building in April 2007, it was boarded up, with windows missing and an infestation of pigeons in the upper floors.

Slates had also been missing from the roof, which had allowed water to pour in and cause serious decay.

Tim Warren, new business manager at Town and Country Housing, said: “This really has been a remarkable transformation.

“The property was an absolute blot on the landscape, but now offers wonderful homes, with sea views, at affordable prices.”

The flats range in price from £100,000 to £140,000, with buyers able to purchase as little as a 25 per cent share and pay rent on the remaining portion.

For more information about shared ownership schemes in Thanet, contact the council’s housing team on 01843 577277