Plans for 46-Bed HMO from Former Kent Premier Inn: A Community-Focused Project
Developers now work to revive a quiet site. They buy a closed hotel and plan a change of use. The former Premier Inn becomes a 46-bedroom shared home. Local voices spark a talk on community life and good housing for residents with less money.
Background of the Project
Alder Design & Build bought this building in November 2024 from Whitbread. The hotel once stood strong in Singlewell, Gravesend. Gravesham Council checked the site for planning faults. Some ads showed rooms as “studio flats” for £790 per month. The ads did not have the right permits.
Local officers talked with the firm. Jim Godwin, the planning agent, said the firm got wrong advice at first. They then spoke with the council and sent new plans on April 8, 2025 to change the use.
Commitment to Quality Standards
Alder Design & Build shows they care for the local life. They work to give good housing that is not like bad landlord images. Godwin said, "We are trying to provide a good standard of accommodation for people who are on lower means." The firm makes the project self-supporting. They plan low rent for tenants.
The team will update the building. They will add space outside and change the inside to bring residents closer. Shared kitchens and lounges will help people meet each other.
Addressing Community Concerns
Alder Design & Build listens to local worries. The firm checks new residents with care. They aim to keep the area calm and safe from crime.
The team also sees this work as one model to repeat in other parts of the UK. They hope other projects may use the same clear ideas for community life.
Next Steps in the Planning Process
The Gravesham Borough Council now meets to review the plan. The council must decide by June 3, 2025. This step will show if the project will go ahead and set a guide for future shared homes in the area.
Conclusion
Changing the old hotel into a 46-bed shared home is more than a site update. It shows care for community living and safe housing for those in need. The team works with the council and local people. The plan marks a simple route to address housing issues in Kent. The project may start a chain of similar ideas that give more people a place to live in good conditions.
For those who watch property projects, this work shows a trend in shared homes. It gives a way to find homes that make sense both in cost and care.
Sources
Stay tuned for more updates as the planning moves ahead.
