A bungalow which was closed by police following months of drug dealing, prostitution and anti-social behaviour is set to undergo a half-a-million-pound refurbishment.

The one-bedroom property in Vale Road, Northfleet, will be redeveloped into a four-to five-bedroom home after it fell into disrepair due to how the previous tenant was living.

The council house was historically let to older people, however, as the occupants aged, they struggled to maintain the large back garden and access the concrete steps leading to the front door.

It was then rented to a younger person but after engaging in a “significant amount of anti-social behaviour” the police issued a closure order on the property and the tenant was evicted in 2021.

Investigating officers applied for the order after they were called to numerous incidents at the property including drug dealing, prostitution and general disturbances between May 2020 and November 2021.

This anti-social behaviour also included the tenant, and their associates, verbally abusing and intimidating various members of the community.

“Despite multiple warnings and ongoing visits to the property, the occupant refused to change his behaviour and failed to show the most basic level of respect to those around him.

“Often is the case that the actions of one person can affect so many and this is why it was important that we took these steps to ensure that this unacceptable behaviour was unable to continue.

“It is therefore entirely proportionate for the person to be removed from this address, and I hope the community notices an improvement to their daily lives.”

The bungalow, which is the only council-owned home in Vale Road, has been vacant ever since and due to how the tenant was living has fallen into disrepair.

According to a report discussed at a Gravesham council cabinet meeting last week (December 16), it would cost around £40,000 to refurbish the home and a further £20,000 to bring it up to the required energy standards.

Due to the amount of work needed, council officers decided it would be a “good opportunity to maximise the use of the land” and build a much larger family home.

The leader of Gravesham council, Cllr John Burden, did question whether there was a need for such a home during the meeting and was told there was.

There are currently 97 households on the local authority’s housing register in need of a four-or five-bedroom home and within its existing stock there are 192 four-bedroom and 26 five-bedroom properties.

However, the report stated over the last three years there have been no five-bedroom and 24 four-bedroom homes that have become available to re-let.

Council officers added: “This is an opportunity to add another larger property to the council housing portfolio which would be delivered in 2025 and reduce waiting times for larger households in need.”

Cabinet members unanimously agreed to go ahead with the scheme meaning a planning application can be drawn up and a contractor appointed to build the house.

It will see the derelict bungalow turned into a three-storey home with four bedrooms, a living room, open plan living and drining area, bathrooms on each floor and the potential for a fifth bedroom.

The construction cost is estimated to cost £509,000 and will be funded through loan finance.

The report said: “This is a cautious estimate and there is a good chance a tendering exercise will result in a lower price, but from a viability point of view, it was important to consider worst case scenario.

“As the overall cost for this development may appear to be excessive, consideration has been given to purchasing something similar on the open market instead of developing the Vale Road property.

“Recent Rightmove listings for a four-bedroom detached property of a similar size are currently marketed at around £650,000.”

Council officers added that buying from the open market would come with risks and additional costs on future maintenance whereas building a new property will ensure it is compliant with the local auhtority’s standrads.

The planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.