More than 300 residents filed formal objections against the conversion of the Grange Moor Hotel into 42 studio apartments, a plan that would house roughly 65 people, according to the Maidstone council’s consultation records. The proposal, submitted on September 22, 2026, aims to turn the former three‑star hotel and wedding venue into a co‑living complex with communal kitchens, a gym, and electric‑vehicle charging spaces.
Residents argue the development would strain an already congested road network and exacerbate parking shortages. Kate Broom, 51, who bought her house in May, said, "I have no problem with migrants; it’s the volume that worries me." "We have no place at the GP surgery yet, and this street can’t cope with the extra cars," she added.
The Grange Moor Hotel, once a community hub, closed in December after a failed rebranding as the Apartell. Jake King, 38, who lives nearby with his partner and two children, said, "It’s been part of our childhood memories; seeing it repurposed feels like losing a part of the town’s identity."
The objection wave follows a broader trend of HMO developments in Maidstone. Residents on Campbell Road and Rawdon Road have complained that new HMOs are increasing crime and overcrowding. "The character of the street has changed," said 84‑year‑old former foster carer Jackie Farrington.
The consultation closed on September 22, and the council has yet to issue a final decision. The planning application remains under review, and a verdict is expected later in 2026, according to the council’s website.