Kent County Council plans to sell or lease part of County Hall, Maidstone, with some set to be demolished

Kent County Council has unveiled controversial plans to sell or lease part of its historic headquarters into flats and co-working spaces.

Maidstone County Hall has been KCC’s HQ for more than 130 years, but some blocks of the historic building have been declared surplus to requirements.

Fresh proposals have emerged to convert one of the buildings into 80 flats and another block into a flexible co-working space. Meanwhile, a third block may be demolished and used as extra parking spaces to support the flats.

Kent county councillors remain divided over the way forward. Concerns have also been raised over the potential high costs of the publicly-funded scheme.

Malling East county councillor Harry Rayner (Con) said: “From a tax payer’s point of view, I have doubts about the course of action we are taking. I believe it is not justified.”

In contrast, Cllr Rory Love (Con), of Cheriton, Sandgate and Hythe East, said he was excited about KCC’s “vision” at County Hall, Maidstone, earlier today.

He said: “Getting that residential accommodation` in place in this part of the town is a very sound move.”

Originally, KCC’s hope was to quit County Hall altogether before the pandemic.

Maidstone Borough Council and KCC unveiled £50million plans in 2020 at the former Royal Mail sorting office near Maidstone East railway station.

At the time, designs showed the new HQ would include a public plaza, gym, green roof and terrace, along with a 443-space car park.

It is believed that less office space is required by KCC as more council staff work from home in flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

KCC’s deputy leader Cllr Peter Oakford said a “compromise” is being reached by the authority to maintain part of County Hall and sell the remainder.

Strongly voicing the need to make radical changes, he said: “This building is no longer fit for purpose. We are utilising less than 50% of the building.”

The remaining ageing offices at County Hall and Invicta House may undergo a major refurbishment, including the main council chamber and catering areas.

He added: “The plumbing is atrocious. Half the bathrooms do not work and there are always blockages somewhere.”

Other local authorities in Kent are considering moving out of ageing offices, including Canterbury City Council after more than 40 years in Military Road.

Some KCC members said they remained unconvinced about the proposals.

KCC’s main opposition leader, Cllr Dr Lauren Sullivan (Lab), questioned if there would be a “maximum” spend limit on the project.

Labour county councillor Alister Brady added: “It is important we do not have a blank cheque.”

But Canterbury City county councillor Neil Baker (Con) said the authority needed to be “realistic”.

He said: “It’s a lovely building, but they do not help the average person we were elected to represent.”

A key decision is expected to be made on the final plans in autumn 2022.

If approved, the refurbishment works of County Hall could be completed by August 2024.