by Stephen Waite

A housing association is investing more than £7 million in creating a “hotel-like” complex for elderly people in Milton Regis.

AmicusHorizon plans to demolish Wyllie Court, off Attlee Way, and replace it with 51 one and two-bedroom apartments.

The new building, designed to be a mix of retirement and care home, will feature a cafe, serving residents with two-course meals every day, a hair salon, activity rooms, a reception area and even a room to park scooters.

There will also be WiFi for internet access and a guest room, as well as communal gardens and parking. Other features include under-floor heating.

Ground floor rooms will open on to patios, while those on upper floors will have Juliet-style balconies at the front of the building and full balconies at the back.

But its height – it will be three storeys – has raised concerns from people living nearby, who fear it is out of character with the area and will lead to over-looking.

Bill Francis’s North Street home is directly opposite the proposed development and he described the plans as “horrendous”.

“They’re replacing a two-storey development with a three-storey development and it’s right in the middle of housing on all sides, so it will overlook all the surrounding residential properties.

“I wouldn’t have a problem if it was the same height but to go higher, it will look over everyone’s living rooms and bedrooms.

“It will be like living under a cliff.”

The proposals went on show at the Clock Tower Hall in Adisham Green in Kemsley last week and are available on Amicus’s website.

Mr Francis, 60, a retired environmental scientist, said he also feared the noise of traffic would be amplified because it would bounce back off the new building.

In July, Swale council granted permission to demolish the current building, which has been empty since spring last year.

Amicus, which was due to submit a planning application for the replacement this week, says it plans to start work on the project in January. It is expected to be finished by June 2014.

A spokesman said: “We’re happy to meet with the resident and our architect to discuss this concern. We’re happy to deal with any queries and concerns from local residents.”

For more on the plans, visit www.amicushorizon.org.uk and search for Wyllie