A raft of new homes could be built on two Maidstone car parks as part of a council bid to provide more accommodation in the town centre.

At a public meeting held last Tuesday residents were told how Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) wants to build 47 homes at Union Street East, currently a long stay car park with 51 spaces.

On Thursday there will also be a public meeting on plans to build an identical number on the Brunswick Street car park, which has 66 spaces.

But some have voiced concern about the Union Street proposals, arguing not enough is being done to address the potential impact on nearby services and parking.

Fenella Jones, of Queen Anne Road, said: “Basically the problem is parking. We have several businesses on Sittingbourne Road, we have the surgery and residents all fighting for the same parking spaces.

“Residents have been given permits but there are not enough parking spaces. If they take away that car park there will be a knock-on effect for residents.”

Vee Sey, 46, and of Union Street, agreed.

She said: “When I get off work I can’t go home as I know I will have nowhere to park so I just drive around until 5.30pm.

“It is unbearable really.”

“We only have 13 to 14 parking spaces for 13,000 patients and it is something patients regularly complain about.” - Dr Peter Szwedziuk, senior partner at nearby Albion Place Medical Centre

Michael Low, 62, said he was worried the scheme didn’t include enough parking for the influx of new homes.

The tai-chi teacher said: “I live in Cromwell Road.

“People living in the road will find even more cars parking and it will then spill over onto Holland Road and Union Street.”

Dr Peter Szwedziuk, senior partner at nearby Albion Place Medical Centre, also expressed concern about the potential loss of parking.

He said: “We have people parking at our premises and this is a concern for our patients.

“Any plan that takes place locally should take into consideration the effect on surgeries and schools and all public amenities, and try not to reduce facilities when they are already stretched.

“We only have 13 to 14 parking spaces for 13,000 patients and it is something patients regularly complain about.”

The new housing estates were given the green light by the policy and resources committee last month.

The Union Street development would include a mixture of 47 homes and flats including gardens and landscaping on the site currently occupied by the car park and former NHS clinic.

They appear to include dozens of allocated car parking spaces.

The council hopes to submit a planning application for both schemes in August. A contractor has not yet been appointed.

John Foster, regeneration and economic development manager, for Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) said : “Following the public meeting to discuss the Union Street Car park housing project, we are aware of the concerns of the existing residents regarding parking.

“At present MBC is considering ways of mitigating the impact of the new housing development on existing reported parking pressures in the N4 parking permit area.

“Development is not expected to commence until spring 2018 if planning permission is granted in the autumn of this year.”

To view the plans click here.