by Jenni Horn

Affordable homes could be built on the site of a former police station if planning permission is granted.

Heart of Medway Housing Association, a subsidiary of mhs homes, bought the old Rainham police station in Birling Avenue, last June.

The organisation, which built 123 homes across the Towns last year, provides affordable housing for rent and low-cost home ownership.

Kent Police sold Rainham station with outline planning consent to demolish the building and build 22 flats.

This was granted in 2011, despite 40 letters of objection from residents concerned about traffic and parking.

mhs homes must now apply for full planning permission.

If this is given, work will start later this year and it is hoped it will be completed by winter 2014.
The flats are one of seven mhs homes developments being built across Medway which will create 88 new homes.

The others are in Station Road, Strood, Pottery Road and Singleton Close, Hoo, and Walderslade Road, Yarrow Road, Hilda Road and the old Theatre Royal in High Street, Chatham.

Two further sites, which will create another 27 homes, are at the planning stages – in Miller Way, Wainscott and Amhurst Hill, Chatham.

Gary Clark, operations director at the mhs homes group, said: “Our aim, to address the shortage of much needed accommodation, is to invest £50 million in the Medway area to deliver over 400 homes over the next three years.”

Cllr David Carr (Con), who is the ward councillor for Rainham north, which includes the police station, welcomed the plans.

He said: “There will always be some people who are worried about parking and traffic but with this type of affordable homes, the chances are it is not going to create masses of traffic.

“These type of affordable homes are exactly what we need. The building has been empty for some time and with nearly every planning application that came along, I thought ‘finally something is going to be done with the site’ so I’m absolutely delighted things are moving forward.”