Plans for the site of a former library to be turned into 115 apartments have been revealed by the council.

Maidstone council has outlined proposals to transform the old Springfield Library site, off Chatham Road, Maidstone, and asked residents for their views.

A previous planning application was granted to a private developer for 114 flats in two blocks, but work never started.

A further application followed in 2017 for 170 flats, but it was refused permission for being an “over-development” which would impinge on the listed Springfield House which stands to the rear of the site.

Now, the local authority has released its own ideas – which show two tower blocks providing a total of 115 apartments which will be a mix of one, two and three-bed properties.

Each will have either a terrace or a balcony and have a dual-aspect view.

Green space will be provided, with a play area, and there is space for ”ancillary” accommodation on the ground floor, which could mean shops.

People living in the area, which is on the outskirts of the town centre, have received a leaflet inviting them to a drop-in consultation on Tuesday, May 2, at the Kent History and Library Centre.

The consultation runs between 1pm and 3pm.

More details can be found here and residents can also respond to an online consultation here.

The site was formerly dominated by the KCC Reference Library Tower, which was built in the 1960s and stood 16 storeys high. It was demolished in April 2022.

One nearby resident, Lisa Brown, commented: “Another 115 properties doesn't sound a lot, but in the last five years, in an area that's approximately 0.24 of a mile, there have been 679 properties already built.

“That means that at least 1,000-plus people have moved in.

“Where are the extra schools? Doctors? Shops? Drainage? Roads? It’s a ridiculous idea!

“This area is so cramped and we have no extra amenities to accommodate all this.”