Flats scheme for town centre office block
A PLAN has been lodged to convert a 1960s office block in London Road, Maidstone, into 73 residential flats. The last tenant at six-storey Concorde House (pictured), on the A20 London Road at its junction with Rocky Hill, was due to move out in February. Applicant Croft Capital wants
to use the building to provide 68 one- and two-bed flats and five studio
flats.An extra floor would create roof terrace apartments. There would be 72 parking spaces behind the building. The layout would remain largely the same, with a “con-
Hotel conversion THE site of the old Maidstone Council offices in London Road has been transformed into a new 99-bedroom hotel. The Premier Inn Maidstone, which opened on February 11, is expected to provide at least 37 jobs and contribute £6.2m to the local economy.
Bargain time BAG a bargain at a jumble sale being held by Maidstone Men- cap at 3pm on Saturday,March 16, at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, (School Lane, off Willington Street entrance). For details contact Margaret on 01580 891512.
Concorde House, from the river, before and after the proposal
temporary makeover”. A sup- porting statement said: “The window openings will be for- malised to reflect a residential appearance, with the addition of balconies to some areas. “Render and terracotta/grey
panel cladding will modernise and refresh the elevations. “The new design is consid-
ered to successfully integrate into the evolving character of Rocky Hill, where buildings provide a mixed aesthetic.”
The applicant has submitted a marketing report arguing that the building has become unviable for business use: “A thorough as- sessment of alternative uses ... has shown that residential uses are the most appropriate form of development, which will also contribute to Maidstone’s hous- ing numbers and targets.” “The building lends itself readily to conversion to apart- ments. Adequate access is pro- vided for both pedestrians and vehicles, using an existing and established access point.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application.
Advice offered on welfare changes
RESIDENTS who face being hit by welfare benefit changes are being offered a helping hand from Golding Homes and Maid- stone Citizens’ Advice Bureau. They are running a series of roadshows and surgeries to ex- plain the changes and offer practical help. Residents will also be able to
get advice on budgeting, finding ajob or howtomovetoa smaller property. Under the Government’s wel-
fare reform, which comes into effect from April, tenants con- sidered to “under-occupy” their homes will have their housing
benefit cut – by 14% if they have one spare bedroom and by 25% if they have two or more. Couples in a two bedroom property will be deemed to be under-occupying and two chil- dren under the age of 10 will be expected to share a bedroom re- gardless of their sex. The Government is also intro- ducing a weekly limit on the total amount a household can receive in benefits: £500 aweek per couple or single parents and £350 a week for single people. Golding Homes, Maidstone’s largest landlord, says over 600 of its households are likely to be
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affected by under-occupation. Surgeries are held at the Shepway Resource Centre in Northumberland Road from 9am-2.30pm onMondays and at the Fusion Café in Parkwood from 9am to 12.30pm on Thurs- days. Roadshows are also being held at: Morrisons Supermarket, Sut- ton Road on Monday,March 11, from 10am-2pm. Senacre Skills Centre, Titch- field Road from 9.30-11.30am on Tuesday,March 12. Maidstone United Football Club from 3-5pm on Saturday, March 23.
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