New look for troubled estate involves square and new shops
Plans submitted for multi-million revamp of homes and shops in Shepway
Plans for a multi-million pound regeneration project which will bring hundreds of homes and a modern shopping hub to a troubled estate have been submitted to the council.
Shepway in Maidstone is set for a massive redevelopment if proposals to knock down 114 apartments to create 236 homes are approved in May.
New pictures of the development have been released after applicants Golding Homes outlined its vision. Also due to be knocked down are the shops in Northumberland Road.
There will also be 1,400 sqm of commercial floorspace which will include a Greggs, Co-Op, fish and chip shop, charity shop and hairdressers.
The majority of the new buildings will be two storey homes, but there will also be three, four and five storey buildings in the development.
Last year Golding Homes invited residents to share their views on the plans in the form of a consultation between May 12 and June 6.
Of the 74 people who completed the survey, 86.5% felt the area needed investment and were in favour of the upgrades. Golding Homes director of development and sales Tom Casey said; “Since the consultation, we’ve been working with our architects to take onboard the feedback and use it to shape plans for modernising Shepway. “We’re committed to delivering quality, energy efficient homes, a modern shopping area and improving the public spaces and landscaping in the Cambridge Crescent area.” A decision on the huge development will be made at a Maidstone council planning committee meeting in May.
The revamp hopes to tackle antisocial behaviour while upgrading facilities.
Figures from the Maidstone Task Force revealed how in the last year more than 175 arrests were made, as well as 350 stop searches.