Residents oppose plans to turn the former hotel and wedding venue into 42 studio apartments for 65 people. (Photo: SWNS)
Residents in Maidstone, Kent, have voiced strong opposition to plans to convert a former hotel and wedding venue into a 42-unit co-living development, saying they fear the proposal could put additional pressure on parking, local infrastructure and the character of the neighbourhood. Kate Broom, 51, bought her house in May and said she would have reconsidered the purchase had she known about the proposal. The former Grange Moor Hotel is at the centre of a proposed 42-unit co-living development. (Photo: SWNS) The three-star Grange Moor Hotel underwent refurbishment and was rebranded as the Apartell in January last year. Jackie Farrington, 84, a former foster carer who has lived on the street for 45 years, said she was concerned about parking, crime and the potential impact on property values. Yvonne Whitehead, 78, who has lived in the area for 35 years and previously ran a nearby nursing home, said the former hotel had personal significance for her family. Stefan, 45, who has lived on Campbell Road for five years, said several HMOs were currently being built nearby. On neighbouring Rawdon Road, resident Neaveen Katta, 43, said the number of HMOs had increased significantly since she moved to the area five years ago. The consultation period for the Grange Moor Hotel proposal closed on September 22 after more than 300 objections were submitted.
Because of the hotel’s long history in the area, jake King, 38, who lives nearby with his partner and their two young children, said the proposed change was particularly upsetting. Residents have speculated that the accommodation could eventually house asylum seekers, but this has not been confirmed.
This was our dream home,” she said. Broom said her concerns were primarily about the scale of the proposed accommodation and the existing pressure on local services. It is not who is going to be there, it is the volume,” she said. However, it closed permanently in December, with planning documents citing “major financial viability issues”. To see it repurposed is sad,” he said. King said he was also concerned about how the development could affect families living nearby. “My ten-year-old son heard about it on the way to school and said he is worried about walking to school alone,” he said. I think it will make the house value go down as well,” she said. Farrington said she had witnessed an increase in HMOs in the area and felt the character of the street had changed. “It was a lovely road but it has really changed,” she said. My children got married there,” she said. Residents have described themselves as “devastated” by plans to redevelop the former hotel. (Photo: SWNS) The proposed development would feature 42 co-living studio apartments, along with communal kitchens, workspaces, a gym, a community living area, laundry facilities and communal gardens. It has changed a lot since we moved in,” he said. He also claimed that crime had increased on the street and said the frequent change of occupants was a concern. It is very difficult here,” she said, adding that she had complained to the council. Katta said she planned to move after her daughter completed her education.
“We are absolutely devastated. “We have no problem with migrants. We have to house them somewhere. “It is already stressful parking, the roads are really busy. We haven’t been able to get a place at a GP surgery yet. This street can’t cope. She added, “We definitely wouldn’t have bought this if we knew. For many residents, the building had been a familiar part of the community for decades. “Grange Moor has been there since I was a kid so it has always been around. “I am worried about parking and crime. We don’t know who is going to be in there. “It used to be a lovely hotel. I used to go there for nice dinners. She also raised concerns about the impact of the development on local families and children. The plans also include private parking spaces with electric vehicle charging facilities. The concerns come amid wider complaints from some Maidstone residents about the number of HMOs being developed in the town. Residents in other parts of Maidstone have also raised concerns about HMO developments. “The main issue is overcrowding. “There are so many HMOs. The objections reflect residents’ concerns about parking, infrastructure, the number of occupants and the potential impact on the surrounding community. However, the planning application remains under consideration, and a final decision has not yet been made. The proposed redevelopment would transform a former hotel and wedding venue that had served the Maidstone community for decades into a dedicated co-living scheme, making it a closely watched planning issue for residents in the surrounding neighbourhood. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
More than 300 objections were submitted before the consultation deadline on September 22, with a planning decision expected at a later date. The former Grange Moor Hotel is proposed to be converted into 42 studio apartments, which could accommodate an estimated 65 people.
Residents living on surrounding roads have described themselves as “devastated” by the plans, with some saying they would not have purchased their homes had they known about the proposed development, according to SWNS.