More than 300 objections filed as Maidstone residents oppose plans to convert former Grange Moor Hotel into 42 studio apartments for 65 people, warning of added pressure on parking and infrastructure

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.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.‘This was our dream home’Kate Broom, 51, bought her house in May and said she would have reconsidered the purchase had she known about the proposal.“We are absolutely devastated. 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.“We have no problem with migrants. We have to house them somewhere. It is not who is going to be there, it is the volume,” she said.“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.”Former hotel was a long-standing community venueThe three-star Grange Moor Hotel underwent refurbishment and was rebranded as the Apartell in January last year. However, it closed permanently in December, with planning documents citing “major financial viability issues”.For many residents, the building had been a familiar part of the community for decades.Jake King, 38, who lives nearby with his partner and their two young children, said the proposed change was particularly upsetting because of the hotel's long history in the area.“Grange Moor has been there since I was a kid so it has always been around. 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.Residents raise concerns over parking and property valuesJackie 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.“I am worried about parking and crime. We don’t know who is going to be in there. 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.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.“It used to be a lovely hotel. I used to go there for nice dinners. My children got married there,” she said.She also raised concerns about the impact of the development on local families and children.Plans include communal facilities and private parkingThe 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.The plans also include private parking spaces with electric vehicle charging facilities.Residents have speculated that the accommodation could eventually house asylum seekers, but this has not been confirmed.The concerns come amid wider complaints from some Maidstone residents about the number of HMOs being developed in the town.More HMOs planned in other parts of MaidstoneResidents in other parts of Maidstone have also raised concerns about HMO developments.Stefan, 45, who has lived on Campbell Road for five years, said several HMOs were currently being built nearby.“The main issue is overcrowding. 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.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.“There are so many HMOs. 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.Planning decision yet to be madeThe consultation period for the Grange Moor Hotel proposal closed on September 22 after more than 300 objections were submitted.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.