Plans to transform a former private hospital into housing have been revealed.

The Somerfield Hospital in London Road, Maidstone, shut its doors to patients in April last year, with operator BMI Healthcare cancelling procedures at short notice.

Now developers Even Group are understood to be in talks with Maidstone Borough Council over a proposal to convert the 2.5-acre site into more than 70 homes.

A design report produced by Den Architecture outlines a mix of flats and houses for the former medical buildings, which include Grade II listed Somerfield House.

However some buildings on the site could be earmarked for demolition to make way for the new housing.

Conservative councillor for Bridge ward, Jonathan Purle, said: "About a fortnight ago when I had patchier details, I circulated an email to a few dozen nearby residents.

"There was general acceptance of the principle of using the site for residential, it beats churning up ancient woodland, but a number of issues arose. Aside from development fatigue and local services strain, these include privacy concerns for immediate neighbours, parking and traffic concerns, and concern for the character and aesthetics.

"It's important to emphasise that just because the principle of re-using a 'brownfield site' like this for housing has an inevitability about it, it doesn't mean we have to accept the first proposal or let it pass unamended."

Cllr Purle has asked people living close to the hospital site to let him know their views on redevelopment for housing.

At this stage no formal planning application has been submitted to the borough council, and it is not known what provision would be made for affordable housing.

The 38-bed hospital closed after losing patients to other healthcare providers in the county town, causing what were described at the time as "financial challenges".

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