Neighbours fear redevelopment plans for a local hotel could see it converted into a 42-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) housing asylum seekers.
uncertain
it → fear → seekers
Developers want to turn the three-star venue in Maidstone, Kent, into a complex of 'co-living' studio apartments accommodating up to 65 residents.
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Developers → want → residents
This form of accommodation gives each resident a private room or studio, while communal facilities are shared.
But with the hotel's former owner having previously been approached about accommodating asylum seekers at the site, locals fear it could ultimately be converted into an HMO for asylum seekers.
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it → give → seekers
Residents living nearby say they are 'petrified' for the safety of their young children and fear the development could put further pressure on parking and local infrastructure, as well as lead to an increase in crime.
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development → live → crime
Kate Broom, 51, said she and her family would never have bought their home had they known about the proposals to convert the hotel.
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they → say → hotel
While there are currently no confirmed plans to use the site as an HMO, she fears such a move could happen in the future.
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move → be → future
Proposals sent to Maidstone council would see the hotel, which was recently rebranded The Apartell, transformed into co-living studio apartments for an estimated total of 65 people
She said: 'We are absolutely devastated.
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We → send → people
We have no problem with migrants.
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We → have → migrants
'We have to house them somewhere.
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We → have → them
It is not who is going to be there, it is the volume.
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it → go → ?
'We haven't been able to get a place at a GP surgery yet.
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We → get → surgery
This street can't cope.
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street → cope → ?
We definitely wouldn't have bought this if we knew.
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we → buy → this
We are both proudly from working class backgrounds and we have worked tirelessly to afford this house.
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we → work → house
The property, formerly known as The Grange Moor Hotel, underwent a refurbishment and was rebranded as The Apartell in January last year.
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property → know → January
But it closed for good in the December because of 'major financial viability issues', according to planning documents.
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it → close → documents
Owner Mark Smith said he consistently received offers from organisations wanting to house asylum seekers at the hotel, but wished for it to become accommodation for people within the town 'who need it most'.
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who → say → it
He added that he had tried to make the business work but was forced to shut in December following a decline in customers.
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business → add → customers
Jake King, 38, who lives with his partner and their two young children said: 'I have got two kids, so it is worrying.
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it → live → kids
'We all hear the horror stories about the type of people you have coming in and what happens at other HMOs.
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what → hear → HMOs
We don't know what to expect.
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We → know → what
My ten-year-old son heard about it on the way to school and said he is worried about walking to school alone.
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he → hear → school
They have to go somewhere I suppose, but does it have to be on my doorstep?'
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it → have → doorstep
The new plans include communal kitchens, workspaces, a gym, a community living area, a laundry room, communal gardens and private parking with EV charging
The new plans include communal kitchens, workspaces, a gym, a community living area, a laundry room, communal gardens and private parking with EV charging.
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plans → include → charging
There have been over 300 objections in total and a decision will be made by the council at a later date.
Many locals say the hotel was a beloved community hub for dinners, business meetings and for guests to stay.
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guests → make → dinners
Jackie Farrington, 84, a former foster carer who has lived on the street for 45 years said: 'I am worried about parking and crime.
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I → live → parking
We don't know who is going to be in there.
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who → know → ?
I think it will make the house value go down as well.
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value → think → ?
Every house that goes up for sale they seem to make into an HMO around here.
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they → go → HMO
It was a lovely road but it has really changed.
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it → change → ?
'We have had a lovely time here and great memories and we don't want them spoiled.'
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them → want → time
Yvonne Whitehead, 78, who has lived on the road for 35 years and used to run a nearby nursing home says she is worried for her granddaughter who she lives with.
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she → live → who
She said: 'I am absolutely horrified and very frightened.
'
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I → say → ?
We have all got children who go to school and have to walk up and down the road.
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who → get → road
Are we going to have to worry about them being assaulted?
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them → go → ?
'It used to be a lovely hotel.
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It → use → ?
I used to go there for nice dinners.
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I → use → dinners
My children got married there.'
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children → marry → ?
Residents near the town centre say they are having similar troubles, with four HMOs currently being built (HMO properties along Rawdon Road)
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HMOs → say → Road
Yvonne claims it is a town-wide issue and says there are a significant number of HMOs in Maidstone.
She added: 'We know the infrastructure is not good enough for the people in Kent as it is.
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it → claim → Kent
…and 13 more, not listed.
The Aporia
