The redevelopment of former bedsits in Chatham into accommodation for vulnerable young adults is underway. Russell House, located near Magpie Hall Road, is set to become a 'foyer' housing people aged 16 to 25 who have to live on their own for the first time. Builders have been seen setting up fencing to prepare the site for construction work. The building, which opened in 1972, has sat empty since 2019 after landlord mhs homes stopped using it as a sheltered living scheme, containing 29 flats for people aged 55 and over. A design period of around 19 weeks is currently underway, with the demolition of derelict garages on the site set to take place after this. Work will also involve building two new studio-flat bungalows, landscaping and the refurbishment of Russell House itself. Community spaces including an accredited learning centre and offices for local organisations were also initially part of the plans. The accommodation will be run by mhs homes and will cater for 30 vulnerable, young people who cannot live at their family home for a variety of reasons or are not yet ready to live independently.
Residents of the new foyer will be mostly living independently, although minor assistance and a 24-hour warden will be provided. The plans faced heavy criticism from residents, councillors and the emergency services in 2021 when mhs homes put forward a planning application for the project, which has since been approved. Work is due for completion in July 2024, a year after the initial summer 2023 deadline. Comments are closed.
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August 2023
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