Plans to created an enlarged mental health hub in a town centre to ‘reduce the pressure’ on the NHS have been welcomed.

North Kent MIND has been awarded £267,300 to renovate the existing Grade II-listed building it currently leases to create an enhanced facility for Dartford.

The Almshouses, on West Hill, is currently used as a place to support local people through a wide range of services and is hoping to be bought by the charity.

It has received more than 80 percent of Dartford council’s most recent community infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding allocation to support a much-needed revamp.

Although it’s been made clear the funds would not go towards the purchase of the building itself and its use is dependent on the charity successfully carrying out that purchase.

Once the renovation is completed the charity intends to open the venue to the public twice a year to “view and learn about the building and its history” while also offering limited space to other local charities “to create a holistic support model”.

It also plans to create a mindfulness courtyard garden.

When applying for the funding North Kent Mind stressed the need for a permanent community resource.

A spokesman said: “The creation of a mental health hub would increase the capacity of mental health services in the area for both individual and group support.

“The project complements local NHS statutory services and could reduce the pressure on these services. It would support local community wellbeing and resilience contributing to making Dartford a better place to live and work.”

Laura Cordell, who runs the Kindness and Well-being group in Dartford, is delighted more funding is being pumped into mental health.

“There is growing demand for mental health support so it's brilliant to see investment in mental health services for people in need,” she said.

Elsewhere, Spital Street Methodist Church in Dartford was awarded £30,000 to repair its grade II listed building, including repairs to the upper parts of both towers, the stonework of the front porch and a new slate roof.

Christ Church, in Cross Road, Dartford has also been given £19,500 to fund the removal and disposal of existing 1960’s fixed benches and the purchase of 385 stackable chairs to replace fixed benches.

The increased community space and flexibility in the seating arrangements is aimed at enabling the expansion of the church’s community work.

The remaining £4,000 has been allocated to improve parking issues in Chatsworth Road, with the installation of parking restrictions at its junctions with Arundel Road, Burnham Crescent, Holmleigh Avenue following the reoccurence of bottlenecks around the expanded Holy Trinity Primary School at drop-off and pickup times.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can set on new development in order to raise funds to help fund the infrastructure, facilities and services needed.

The fund helps local organisations, in the unparished parts of Dartford borough, that need extra financial support to complete projects which can include everything from cultural facilities and highway upgrades to play areas and local education and health services.