UK Hotel Conversion Sparks Asylum Seeker Housing Fears Among Residents

Plans to convert a hotel in Maidstone, Kent, into a 42-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) have prompted fears among local residents that it could be used to house asylum seekers. Developers are seeking to transform the former Grange Moor Hotel, recently rebranded as The Apartell, into a complex of 'co-living' studio apartments.

While current proposals are for co-living studios, neighbors are concerned due to the hotel's previous owner having been approached about accommodating asylum seekers. Residents expressed anxieties about potential impacts on local infrastructure, including parking and GP services, and a possible increase in crime.

Kate Broom, a resident, stated that she and her family would not have purchased their home if they had been aware of the conversion proposals. She voiced concerns about the volume of residents, regardless of their status, and the strain it could place on the existing infrastructure.

The hotel closed in December due to financial viability issues, according to planning documents. The owner, Mark Smith, has stated that while he received offers to use the building for asylum accommodation, he declined them and had hoped it would serve local residents in need.

Jake King, another resident, shared his worry for his young children, citing "horror stories" about other HMOs and the potential impact on his son's sense of safety. Residents on neighboring Rawdon Road have reported similar issues with an increase in HMOs, citing concerns about noise, drug use, and overcrowding.

The proposed development includes communal facilities such as kitchens, workspaces, a gym, a laundry room, and communal gardens, along with private parking. Over 300 objections have been lodged with Maidstone council, which is expected to make a decision at a later date. Locals have reminisced about the hotel's past as a community hub for events and stays.