Hospice plan approved in health complex

A new hospice has been approved as part of a health and housing complex.

The Heart of Kent Hospice, which was officially opened by Princess Diana in 1992, will relocate from Aylesford to the new site in Linton.

Plans for the complex also include a care home, a supported living block for autistic adults and up to 70 affordable bungalows for the elderly.

The proposal for the site, on land off Heath Road, was approved by Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee.

Rachel Street, Heart of Kent Hospice chief executive, said: "We are delighted that we can now move forward with our plans to build a new hospice to meet the growing needs of the community in Maidstone and its surrounding areas."

The hospice has provided care for people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge and Malling and the surrounding area since it opened its doors 1991.

Last year, the organisation cared for more than 2,000 people in their own homes or at the Aylesford hospice.

Ms Street said: "With the help of our partners and supporters, we can forge ahead with plans to build a beautiful, modern hospice, centred in our community, that will provide outstanding, personalised care for generations of families in the future."

She said the next steps involved more detailed planning and raising the money to deliver the plans.

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