local authority:   Canterbury City Council

Franklyn Housing Co-operative is a medium sized estate of 58 properties within the London Road area of Canterbury. The properties are a mixture of three bed houses, one and two bed flats, and one and two bed bungalows, catering for all types of household.

The Co-operative was built by CDS Co-operatives in phases between 1991 and 1993 and ownership was transferred to them in 1993, with the Co-operative becoming fully independent and signing a management agreement with CDS in 1994. The committee now meet regularly and take responsibility for the maintenance and lettings functions within the Co-operative.

All the properties have double glazing and central heating. There are private back gardens for the houses and bungalows, some properties have driveways, and there is plenty of space in the communal car parks. The bungalows are designed to mobility standard and have a ‘lifeline’ alarm system fitted, and one has been adapted for a wheelchair user. The houses and flats are located together and the bungalows are a few minutes walk away with a small council owned playing field between them. There is also a small play park by the estate for young children.

For all tenants the service charge covers the communal area gardening and the communal TV aerial. For the flats it also covers the door entry system and cleaning to the stairways, and for the bungalows it also covers the lifeline facility.

The A2 to London and Dover is a minute away by car, and both Canterbury West and Canterbury East stations are easily accessible. All amenities within Canterbury, such as the leisure centre, hospital, library, council offices and courts can be reached by bus. There is a primary school next door to the estate, and Canterbury High is five minutes away.

Franklyn Housing Co-operative has contractual tenancies and, after internal transfers, 50% of vacancies are given to Canterbury Council for nominations from their housing register with the other 50% taken from the Co-operative’s waiting list. Applicants for the bungalows must be over 60.