A care home has been earmarked for demolition leaving the futures of its 29 residents uncertain.

Medway's largest landlord mhs homes runs Hallwood House, in Kestrel Road, Lordswood, but in a letter to those living there explained they plan to develop the site.

In its place mhs wants to build 40 to 45 flats for the elderly but stressed in the letter, seen by the Messenger, an application had not yet been submitted.

The letter explained the 40-year-old building was no longer fit for purpose.

Supported living manager Sue Rudd wrote: "We understand that, if the closure goes ahead, the coming months will be a difficult time for you. We will support you fully through this.

"We'll arrange individual meetings with you over the next week to discuss any concerns you have and go through the options available to you. Our number one priority in this will be to provide alternative accommodation which meets your needs and requirements."

Each resident will be entitled to a £6,300 home loss payment plus the reasonable cost of moving.

It's thought if plans move forward residents will be expected to leave by the end of the year.

One relative said: "It's very worrying for those living there. At 80 or 90 moving is incredibly stressful.

"People were seen measuring up before the letter was even sent out."

The letter sent last month marked the start of a 28 consultation period which ended on Monday.

Operations director for mhs homes Stephanie Goad said: "We are seeking resident’s views on the proposal to redevelop Hallwood House. Understandably, this may be an unsettling time for them.

"Once the consultation closes, if we do decide to redevelop, we’ll help customers move into alternative accommodation of their choice and have the opportunity to move back if they wish to. This process will take some time and residents will be fully supported throughout.

"The proposal we are consulting on is to redevelop Hallwood House to provide an increase in quality, affordable housing for older people. The current accommodation does not meet the future needs of residents. It lacks provision for disabled people and predominately contains small studio apartments, making them unsustainable in the long term."

In December it was revealed the 29-flat mhs-owned Russell Court in Chatham had also been identified for closure.

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