Housing “modules” weighing 12 tonnes have been craned into place at the site of a former private hospital.

Each section will create six new properties at the Somerfield Terrace development in London Road, Maidstone.

Housing association Golding Homes bought the building, known as Somerfield Hospital, in October 2021.

Plans were previously approved by Maidstone council to convert the 38-bed private healthcare centre into apartments.

It closed in April 2019 after losing patients to other providers in the town.

Now 73 homes are to be built at the site.

The building dates back to 1850 and was originally four detached villas, said to be home to wealthy merchants.

In September last year, KentOnline was given a first look at its showroom in the Grade II-listed property.

Since then, the apartments have been in their final stages of preparation.

What were once hospital offices behind it have been extended in length and height. They are set to be kitted out internally.

Over to the right stands what is called The Hotel, which has been given planning permission for a refurb into six apartments.

As of yesterday (September 18), the newest addition is the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) housing.

An alternative to traditional building practices, the homes have been made off-site by company TopHat.

They have all been designed in keeping with the other properties, including the bricks which were 3D printed.

Eighteen sections – known as modules – are set to be craned in this week.

Karyn Young, development manager, said: “In preparation for that, there has been four weeks of foundation, digging, draining, forming the gardens and retaining walls.

“So that when they come in, they can be lifted and plugged in straight away.”

She has been working at Golding Homes for the last four years.

She says MMC is safer, cheaper and quicker than building on-site.

Karyn added: “These modules are container-sized, made of timber, and are highly insulated.

“They are fully fitted out. It already has your integrated kitchen, bathroom, shower, and even toilet roll holders.

“Absolutely everything is done in the factory.”

These modules will make up six four-bed terraced properties, which will have three floors and a pitched slate roof.

The homes are valued at around £530,000.

Four will be for market rent and two for shared ownership.

“The modules were made a few months ago in Derby,” Karyn said.

“It takes around four to six weeks for all of them to be built. We then went and inspected them.

Construction at the back of the Somerfield Terrace development: First pictured in September 2022 versus present day

“They stayed up there on an airfield in Scunthorpe until the team were ready at this end to receive them.

“On Sunday night they travelled down and are now waiting in a car park in Lakeside.”

She added: “The plan had been to crane six a day, and it would be finished in three days.

“But because of the weather, I suspect we will still be here on Friday.”

Despite 40mph winds and rainy conditions, the construction team was able to successfully lift a module over the scaffolding and into a gap.

Karyn says it depends on a multitude of factors that can hinder their progress.

“It’s the crane driver’s decision ultimately,” she said. “He won’t do anything that he thinks is risky.

“The margin is only about six inches at the front and rear of each of the houses.

“They really showed their skills.

“I had no doubts, but it really does make you hold your breath.”

The development was set to be completed in spring this year.

Despite construction starting in December 2021, there have been a number of setbacks.

Karyn said: “There were so many factors that have delayed us.

“Obviously the cost-of-living crisis has hurt.

“Material costs have gone up and there is a shortage of skilled workers.

“We also had to wait for some planning decisions.”

Golding Homes says it is hoping to complete most of the interior and exterior renovations before Christmas.

Refurbishment on The Hotel is expected to be done by February.