AN HISTORIC former lunatic asylum is set to be converted into more than 250 homes.

Plans to refurbish and convert the Grade II listed buildings at Stone House Hospital in Cotton Lane, Dartford, into around 255 private and affordable homes have been announced.

The government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has signed a deal with developers PJ Livesey Group and Ward Homes, as part of its scheme to turn redundant hospital sites into new homes.

A planning application for the conversion of the hospital, which was built between 1862 and 1866, will be submitted to Dartford Council this autumn and, if successful, work will begin next summer.

HCA head of Kent, Akin Durowoju, said: “Stone House Hospital has a fascinating history and I’m delighted the HCA has been able to secure its future.

“It is set in beautiful mature parkland and I’m reassured the partnership between PJ Livesey Group and Ward Homes will ensure this setting, together with the listed buildings, is given a sustainable new lease of life.”

The 15 acre site was the City of London Lunatic Asylum until it was taken over by the NHS in 1948, and was then a mental health hospital until its closure in November 2007.

P J Livesey Group specialises in converting historic and listed buildings into homes and its development director James Woodmansee says the work on the hospital will be “sympathetic”.

A HCA spokesman said English Heritage, Dartford Council, and residents of the borough have been consulted during the development of the conversion plans.