A building and a block of flats are set to be demolished as part of a redevelopment project, council plans have revealed.

The demolition is part of a proposal to rebuild almost 70 homes on the grounds of Oakleigh House in South Ashford.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) says it is looking to undertake the work as part of its efforts to "prepare for the needs of an ageing population".

The project, which has been opened for public consultation, will involve demolishing the current home and adjacent block of flats, known locally as the 'Star Block'.

A new scheme of 69 flats and cottages will then be built on the land, with an additional patch of land across from 'Star Block' also being considered.

These will include 51 independent apartments for elderly people, 15 for adults with learning disabilities, and three independent cottages.

Residents of the current Oakleigh House building, which was built in the 1970s, have already moved out.

Meanwhile, occupants of the 'Star Block', which is already council-owned, have been served notice that they are no longer able to permanently buy their flats.

The council is hoping to rehouse the residents in other council accommodation to allow for the work to be carried out.

By 2023 it is expected that 23% of Ashford residents will be aged 65 or over, while there are currently 1,350 people on the ABC waiting list for affordable housing, many of which the council say are older people.

Cllr Bill Barrett, ABC's portfolio holder for housing, said: “Our approach to modernising our sheltered housing stock is delivering wonderful results for the borough’s older residents and I’m excited to see that Oakleigh House is set to follow the same template as Farrow Court and Danemore.

"I would urge local residents to engage fully with this innovative approach to community consultation.”

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