Work completed on four new homes replacing properties destroyed by portable gas heater explosion in Mill View, Ashford

Four new homes have been built to replace a row of houses that were badly damaged following a portable gas heater explosion at Mill View in Willesborough in 2021.

Working with Folkestone-based main contractor Jenner on the £1.25m design and build contract, Ashford Borough Council has finished construction of two 2-bedroom homes and two 3-bedroom homes on the cleared site where 13, 15, 17 and 19 Mill View previously stood.

It was just before 8am on Tuesday, 4 May 2021 when an explosion ripped through the street, shattering windows and waking neighbours. Seven people were injured in the blast, with five taken to the William Harvey Hospital and two taken to London with what would later be described as "life-changing" injuries.  

Three council-owned properties and one privately owned home were badly damaged in the explosion, which a Kent Fire & Rescue Service investigation later found was caused by a leak from a portable gas heater in one of the council homes. Alternative accommodation was provided for the people affected by the blast.

The new homes in Mill View have been built to a high standard, with a focus on energy efficiency. Measures have also been included that will help ‘future-proof’ the properties – straight stairs that would allow a stair-lift to be installed if required, and square shaped bathrooms so they could easily be converted into a wet room.

Each house has two parking spaces and heating is via air source heat pumps with underfloor heating. There are also PV panels fitted to the roofs and an EV charger fitted to each property. The high standard of insulation and energy efficiency measures means the four homes are rated EPC band B. 

Building work on the four homes started in autumn 2024, and the council confirms that tenants will be moving in very soon. 

Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “I'm passionate about providing genuinely affordable quality housing for everyone, so I'm delighted that our Housing team has delivered a project to replace the homes that were destroyed by the explosion and subsequent fire.

“These new homes have been constructed to a high standard, with green features and future-proof designs that can adapt to a tenant’s changing personal needs.” 

Martin Sandall, Managing Director of Jenner who constructed the new homes, added: “It has been an honour for the Jenner team to continue our strong working relations with Ashford Borough Council and fulfil their aspirations to ensure these homes are returned to the community to ensure affordable, quality new homes are available to those who need them.

“They are designed and built with energy efficiencies in mind as we work together to build more sustainability and ensure the Mill View homes cater for all their resident’s needs.”