Plans to build flats at former health centre site in Northumberland Road in Shepway, Maidstone, submitted to council
Published: 05:00, 19 February 2022
Plans to build a block of flats where there used to be a health centre have been submitted to the council.
If given the green light, the site in Northumberland Road, Shepway, Maidstone, will be developed with seven two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats.
The former health centre, known as Mulberry House, has been flattened after it was described as offering “very little to the street scene” and being left “in a poor state of repair”.
The proposed building, close to Shepway shops, would have a car park at the back with nine spaces.
Planning documents on the council’s website describe the design of the flats as “contemporary with simple lines and traditional materials” and each would have a garden space or balcony.
There would be four properties on the ground floor, three on the first floor and two on the second floor.
A design and access statement for the plans concluded: “The proposed development makes effective use of a sustainably located brownfield site and will provide housing of which there is a recognised shortfall.
“The proposal will be entirely consistent with the prevailing grain of the settlement and will blend with the street-scene.
“The contemporary design and height of the proposed dwelling responds to the prevailing design of the area and is in character with the neighbouring properties.”
The application comes as housing provider Golding Homes revealed last year its plans for a multi-million pound regeneration of the Shepway area.
It announced a project which would see 114 apartments knocked down and replaced with 240 new homes and a shopping and communal area.
The company is yet to submit a planning application but asked residents for their views on the plans.
Out of 74 people who completed its survey, 86.5% felt the area needed investment and were in favour of the upgrades.
Only 49 of those came from the 114 homes and 15 shops directly impacted. The rest came from surrounding streets.
The main concerns people felt needed addressing related to lighting, misuse of open space, antisocial behaviour and a lack of surveillance.
Visit here, with reference 22/500458/FULL to see the application for the Northumberland Road flats.
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Sean McPolin