Part of a former activity hub and sports centre could be turned into an 11-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO).
The housing plans concern the former Arethusa Venture Centre in Lower Upnor, near Rochester.
An application seeks to alter the interiors of a disused building on Upnor Road to create accommodation for up to 13 people, with two double rooms and nine single rooms.
The changes to the building would see the ground floor have four single bedrooms, a communal bathroom and two shower rooms, as well as a shared kitchen and living room.
The first floor would have five single rooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom, and two double rooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, as well as a communal bathroom and two more shower rooms.
Rooms will also include a desk for working from home and space for storage.
Only slight changes are to be made to the exterior of the building, including the installation of different windows to provide each of the new rooms with sunlight and the associated plumbing for the shower rooms.
The documents, submitted by Tetlow King Planning, say the use of the building as an HMO is an appropriate move as its size prevents it from being used by a single household and it is better put to use than being allowed to sit vacant.
It joins the other side of the former Arethusa Venture Centre, formerly run by charity Shaftesbury Young People, which saw an application for the buildings across the street to be demolished and 31 new flats built in its place.
That application was submitted in December by Grandera Homes for 12 one-bedroom flats, 17 two-bedroom flats and two three-bedroom flats.
It is still being considered by Medway Council’s planning department and has six letters of objection from local residents.
This includes an objection from the Dickens’ Country Protection Society who raised issues including the quality of the road leading to the site, the impact of new residents on local infrastructure, and the designs being out of place with the area.
However, some do also agree with the proposal of redeveloping the site for housing in principle and the designs as put forward, if slight changes are made.
The Arethusa centre was opened in 1935 and featured grass pitches, a swimming pool, an indoor community hall and dormitories for overnight stays.
It was used by schools offering climbing, kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother both included the centre on their itineraries when visiting Medway.
Originally overseen by Shaftesbury Homes it was one of the UK’s oldest children’s charities supporting young people in care and adolescents leaving institutions.
Founded in 1843, its mission statement said it aimed to help youngsters “find their voice, to be healthy, to learn, develop and achieve and to gain an independent and positive place in society”.
But in 2019 the centre closed after a lack of demand and no other charity was willing to take up running it.
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In 2022 KentOnline reported how a deal to sell the site was in its final stages and how there had been speculation the land would become housing
At the time, spokeswoman for Shaftesbury Young People Johanna Tompsett said: “We approached other charities with a view to continuing as an activity centre, but sadly none thought it was a viable option as it has fallen into dilapidation.
“We know it means a lot to local residents and we have done our best to find the best deal.”
The latest application was submitted to Medway Council on July 23 and is under consideration by the authority’s planning department.
