As Golding Homes announces multi-million pound plans to transform areas of Shepway, reporter Liane Castle went to take a look at what the area is really like.

Having parked up next to a curved row of houses, the first thing I stumbled across when I began exploring the Shepway estate was a memorial lined with cards and floral tributes to a father-of-three who was fatally stabbed outside his home last May.

After paying my respects, I weaved through the apartments in Cambridge Crescent surrounded by vast open spaces with the hope of finding the shops.

Along the way I spotted four abandoned sofas, five dumped shopping trolleys and discarded takeaway wrappers scattered across a grassed area next to a bench and ironically, an empty bin.

The flats have seen better days, and the vibrant blue paint used to coat the panels on balconies, doors and garages hasn't aged well.

I ducked through a dimly lit underpass and made my way to the shops in Northumberland Court and when I arrived, I spotted two police officers patrolling the car park.

It would be a lie to say I felt perfectly at ease walking through the area unknown to me while alone,but I didn't feel alarmed at any point and I was met with a nod and brief smile from everyone I crossed paths with.

But based on first impressions alone, the estate to the south east of Maidstone had already lived up to its reputation as an area blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour.

Initially, I thought it's not hard to see why Golding Homes is proposing a multi-million pound revamp to rejuvenate the streets and tackle its infamous reputation. But like many others, I soon realised that perhaps I judged the area too quickly based on stereotypes and cosmetics.

Yes it could use some TLC, and yes crime is a problem, but after speaking to some of the residents who call it home, it became clear just how much Shepway means to people as not one of them wanted to leave.

Everyone I spoke to was welcoming and keen to discuss the possible upgrades which have been the talk of the estate since leaflets were slotted through their letterboxes just days before.

The views were mixed, with some eager for development to get started right away and others a bit more apprehensive about what the proposals will mean for their livelihoods.

Umesh Patel, the owner of M and P News who welcomed me into his shop in Northumberland Court, feels the facelift will be a good idea but only if he gets to keep his shop.

The 49-year-old said: "I’m happy on the one side because it looks very nice but I'm also scared because I'm worried about my shop.

"In Park Wood when the area was regenerated, an guy who had a shop there was not given it back.

"I really want to stay here because I don't have any other options. I have a young daughter, I have just bought a house so I need to be here.

"When I saw the news in (KentOnline's sister paper) the Kent Messenger I didn't sleep the whole night. Until they say ‘Yes Mr Patel you can keep your shop’ I’ll be worried because this is my life.

In 2018, Mr Patel was the victim of a devastating burglary. He lost his life savings when the flat above his shop was ransacked by thieves who made off with priceless heirlooms, £50,000 in cash, and gold jewellery, valued at around £30,000.

Three years on and he is still recovering from the crime and fears if he loses his shop he will have nothing left.

When asked about Shepway's reputation, Mr Patel said: "Everyone knows me here. My customers don’t let me down so there is a sense of community to some extent.

"But if you come to my shop after 5pm it's a different story so that is what needs to change.

"I live upstairs but I have just recently bought a house because so many people at night outside the flats come shouting and taking drugs and I'm scared now."

The claims were backed up by one of his neighbours, who wished to remain anonymous, who has become fearful of when the next gang of youths will inevitably descend on the communal stairwell.

They added: "My anxiety has gone up since moving here. As soon as one lot of children grow up and move away, the next lot become a problem.

"They kick the doors, smoke drugs, make noise on their stairs and they don’t even belong to the people who live here.

"I think doing up the place is a really good idea and I can't wait."

Bosses at Golding Homes have acknowledged the area does have its challenges and this is one of the reasons why it has opened a consultation asking residents to share their views about possible upgrades.

No plans have yet been finalised but if given the go ahead, the investment package could see 114 apartments knocked down in place of 240 new homes, a modern shopping area and attractive communal spaces.

The landlord hopes residents and business owners like Mr Patel will share their views and experiences so they can be taken into account when decisions are eventually made.

Danny Roberts who has lived in his home since 2014 says he and many others love living in Shepway and although crime is evidently a problem, he has always felt safe in his home.

The 78-year-old who submitted his views to the consultation said: "Yes there are some bad parts but it has been a beautiful place to live. Really I don't want to move so if they do build new places they have got to give me what I want.

"I get on with all my neighbours. We don't get involved with each other's lives but we do look after one another.

"There have been three murders. Someone was stabbed up the road, another man was shot outside my window and someone else was hit by a hammer but I still feel safe living here.

"I think it will only get worse if you put more flats up because there will be more people."

In May 2020, Jamie Simmons, a father-of-three was stabbed outside his home in Cambridge Crescent as he returned from work.

Ambulance crews battled to save the 29-year-old's life but he was declared dead at the scene.

His former friend Kieron Nicholson was accused of murder but later cleared at trial.

In May 2019 Andrew Jenkins was shot dead after going to confront a friend who had a two-year affair with his wife.

It was later found Jeffery Mills had acted in self-defence when he fatally shot Mr Jenkins.

Details of the third murder are unknown.

One of Mr Roberts' neighbours also expressed concerns about the possibility of increasing the population and what it will mean for safety.

They added: "I’m always inside but it shouldn't be like that, I shouldn't feel like I have to stay in to be safe.

"If they leave it as it is, I’ll stay."

They added: "At the moment I have an outside space where I can have a BBQ and plant a few things but how am I going to do that if I have to use a shared garden?

"I’m always inside but it shouldn't be like that, I shouldn't feel like I have to stay in to be safe..."

"People want privacy and they don't want to rub shoulders with their neighbours which is what will happen if there are more flats with single access."

Golding Homes says it is working closely with local partners and community groups to ensure all voices and opinions are heard and is encouraging anyone with requests to bring their ideas forward in the consultation.

The revamp hopes to tackle anti-social behaviour while upgrading facilities in Northumberland Road and Cambridge Crescent, some of which date back to the 1950s.

The Vine and St Martin’s Church along with the veterinary centre will not be affected.

The Cambridge Crescent consultation will run until June 6 when Golding Homes will use the feedback to develop proposals for the area with partners and architects.

If the plans go ahead, following consultation and planning approval, work will start next Spring with phase one of three completed in Summer 2024.

The entire revamp is not expected to be finished until 2028.

For further information on the consultation and proposed plans, click here to visit the Golding Homes website

Alternatively, you can email shepwayregen@goldinghomes.org.uk or call 01622 212790.