Almost 200 affordable homes could replace an old library after plans for a 16-storey tower on the site were rejected.

Developer Peker Holdings made an application to demolish the old Springfield Library in Maidstone in 2017, hoping to then build 170 apartments of between six and 16 storeys high on the site.

However, the application was refused in November, due to significant concerns about the scale and density of the development on a small site of around just half a hectare.

Another developer, Southern Grove, has now secured the plot of land, hoping to deliver 175 homes - all of which will be available through shared ownership or at affordable rent.

Canterbury architects, On Architecture, will be designing the scheme.

The Sandling Road site is a 10-minute walk from Maidstone East railway station and sits near another development of 295 one-and-two-bedroom apartments and three-and-four-bedroom houses where the former Whatman paper mill used to be, with work being done by Redrow.

Sandwiched between Springfield Mill and the old library is Springfield Park, which includes a 17-storey tower block. Here, Weston Homes are constructing 502 flats, with work underway.

Although this latest development will have less storeys than the previous proposal, the exact height of the buildings has not yet been revealed.

The scheme will be delivered in conjunction with a housing association and discussions with potential partners are in motion.

Southern Grove says the development will be "sensitive to the surrounding area, with sight lines provided to retain views from the highway of the attractive Grade II listed Springfield House", and that the company's mission is to "provide affordable housing close to key transport links across London and the home counties."

Chief executive, Tom Slingsby, added: "Local authorities have never been under more pressure to provide affordable housing but are also big supporters of inspirational and sympathetic design.

"We aim to meet the expectations of everyone with a design-led scheme that is very pleasing on the eye and offers minimal visual impact on the surrounding area.

"We are also going to be getting creative too, so the new development makes the most of Springfield House, a historic property that we want passers-by to be able to appreciate.

"We’re pressing ahead with the scheme despite the economic fallout from coronavirus still being unclear because we can see Maidstone offers a strong foothold in the London commuter belt, with many young professionals choosing to put down roots and start a family here. It’s a good long-term investment."

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