Residents are furious after they were “kept in the dark” over plans to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children in their street.

Neighbours living in Trinity Road, Gravesend, say they fear for their safety as asylum seekers are to be placed in a former residential home in their neighbourhood.

More than 50 residents united in a peaceful protest outside Edward Moore House in Trinity Road to show their anger at the plans by Kent County Council, which they said they knew nothing about until it was too late.

The former care home will provide housing for 36 asylum-seeker children who are currently being cared for by the authority after arriving in England. As of Augst 2023, this number stood at 535 minors.

Joe Singh, who spearheaded the rally, said letters were sent out by KCC in April telling them of the decision but he said, by then, work had already started.

The 56-year-old father-of-two said: “The proposed site is next to a primary school and in the heart of a tranquil residential area where vulnerable adults frequently use the local facilities.

“We understand the need for asylum seekers housing but believe there are other more suitable locations which would not disrupt established communities or local economies.”

John Powar is furious residents were not given a say on the decision.

“We had no opportunity to raise objections or sit on a committee to discuss the proposal,” the resident said.

Mr Singh and Mr Powar have collected more than 300 signatures and secured more than 400 names on an online petition to see the plans stopped.

The 71-year-old said: “We are against it because it is a residential area and 60 per cent of the people living on this estate are elderly and they will have to pass that building every day.

“There are derelict hotels around Gravesend which are eyesores which would have been much better suited to be done up and used.”

Residents are particularly worried that the children will be older than they claim and fear they will get involved in anti-social behaviour.

The presence of high fences and a 24-hour security dog has done nothing to dispel their fears.

Janice Bass, 79, said: “There are going to be congregated groups of young men and there are going to be attacks,” she said.

“Why do they need guard dogs and high fences. I feel threatened.”

Alida Christensen, 60, added: “There’s enough trouble around here as it is.”

Residents are also concerned an increase in numbers in the area will put further strain on doctors and schools.

Georgina Beaumont, 69, said: “It’s impossible to get a doctor’s appointment as it is.”

Neighbour Lisa Alexander said the building should be used to benefit residents.

“The building could be put to better use,” the 57-year-old said. “They should put it back to an old people’s home or make it into a doctor’s surgery for the people in the community that need it.”

Natalia Olkiewixz, 37, moved to Gravesend from Poland 14 years ago.

She said she has sympathy for the asylum seekers but believes a small residential area is not the right place to house them.

“They need to be socialised somewhere first before they come into the heart of an already established community.

“The town already has enough issues with crime and anti-social behaviour. We want to make it better, not worse.”

KCC’s director of integrated children’s services Sarah Hammond, said: “The high court ruled that, regardless of its limited capacity and resources, Kent County Council must accommodate and look after all Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UAS Children) arriving in Kent to fully comply with its statutory Children Act 1989 duties and end the unlawful use of hotels managed by the Home Office.

“The Council must comply with the Court ruling and judgements and take every possible step to increase its capacity at pace.

“Currently, the council’s two existing Reception Centres provide temporary accommodation and care for 16/17 year old UAS Children only whilst they await transfer to other local authorities under the National Transfer Scheme (NTS). We are required to find foster placements for all under 16s.”

She stated that since the ruling new arrivals of UAS children into KCC had dramatically increased and seven buildings across the county had been deemed suitable.

Ms Hammond said the council had been working hard to ensure a swift transfer of children out of the area but is still working to resolve issues with the Home Office.

She added: “The council has been in regular communication with local residents and stakeholders for each new building and will continue to update them on progress.”

The former care home, which closed two years ago, will provide up to 36 places for UAS children and is expected to open in September.