‘Disgusted’ locals living next a derelict NHS hospital have called it an ‘appalling’ death-trap just two years after it sold for nearly £3million.

The former maternity block looms ominously over Gravesend town centre in Kent and is covered in graffiti and smashed windows.

Its now overgrown lawns have become a magnet for opportunistic fly-tippers while fed up shoppers say the dull grey ‘monstrosity’ has become a crime den regularly broken into by yobs and drug addicts.

Locals believe it is only a matter of time before someone dies in the abandoned building and fear a child could be seriously injured or worse playing inside.

The imposing unit – known as M-Block – has been empty since 2006 but was sold by the NHS for £2.3million two years ago and ear-marked for a gleaming new 115-home estate by developers, Star Living. 

However, it has remained untouched ever since. 

One furious local told MailOnline: ‘I have lived here all my life and it is appalling. It’s just a scene of vice and misery. There’s drug taking, graffiti and all sorts.

‘A lot of the people in the town were born there or have family who were. It’s so sad that it is just in such an appalling state.’

Locals living in Gravesend, Kent have slammed the state of the town’s derelict maternity hospital (pictured) as ‘appalling’ 

Pictured: The multi-storey building is covered in graffiti with windows either smashed or vandalised by yobs

The hospital has been subject to several different plans for redevelopment over the years.

It was initially proposed to demolish the hospital and replace it. But in 2020, plans were put forward to convert and extend the existing building, rather than knock it down.

The work will include conversion of the former maternity unit along with a side extension and a roof extension, and the construction of a new residential building. The M-shape at the top of the old hospital will be retained.

It has promoted furious residents to call for urgent action.

Office manager Ryan Thomas, 44, said he was ‘disgusted’ at the state of the building.

He said: ‘It’s heartbreaking. Youths are often going inside there. I cannot believe nobody has died in a tragedy there. You could easily get in there and clearly people are.

‘It needs pulling down and building proper housing.

The former maternity unit was bought in 2022 and earmarked for new housing but it has since been left to rot in the heart of the town centre

Locals said they were ‘disgusted’ by the sight of the building and called for it to be demolished or turned into a space for the community

In 2022, it was announced developers Star Living were converting the old maternity unit (pictured) into 115 apartments

‘Not cheap housing. Proper housing.’

Taxi driver Bill Smith, who lives in the town, said a sports venue for youngsters would be his favourite option.

The 49-year-old said: ‘It’s a right mess. It’s been like that for years.

‘Children or teenagers could easily climb it and fall and die. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

‘There’s nothing for them to do so why not turn it into something positive like a sports venue for them.

‘It could be really inspirational. We’ve got the national football team doing well, why doesn’t a business capitalise on that? Councillors need to take action and do something.’

Residents said the forgotten building had become a crime den and described it as a ‘tragedy waiting to happen’

The windows of the once thriving building are smashed with moss and grass growing on the roof while its overgrown gardens have become a dumping ground for fly-tippers

Once work on the development begins it will include conversion of the former maternity unit along with a side extension and a roof extension, and the construction of a new residential building 

Jean Bloomfield, 88, who has lived in Gravesend for 60 years, said flats were the best option.

She said: ‘There’s a big housing shortage locally and across the country. That would be the best thing I think.

‘It’s always been a right state but recently it has gotten a lot worse.

‘Flats would be very good. Then locals can afford to live in a nice place and stay here.’

Melissa Greenstreet, 44, thought a complex for the elderly would be ideal.

She said: ‘I think a retirement complex would be for the best. It’s in a right state at the moment.

‘That is so sad. I am gutted.’

Kathleen Bone, 82, also backed proposals for housing.

The pensioner said: ‘It just needs to be something sensible. I think housing is a good idea.

‘There’s a shortage of social housing so I think that would be good. It’s a monstrosity at the moment.’

Locals said they were ‘gutted’ to see the hospital (pictured) left to rot nearly 20 years after it closed as a maternity unit

Taxi driver Bill Smith (left), 49, said the hospital looked a ‘right mess’ and called for it to be turned into a sports venue for youngsters while Carol Peters (right), 73, was adamant housing was a ‘terrible idea’ for the new building

Kathleen said she hoped any action on the site would happen soon.

She added: ‘My two children were born there so I just hope it can be done soon.’

But retired housewife Carol Peters, 73, was adamant housing was a ‘terrible idea’.

She said: ‘Why not turn it back into a hospital? That’s what it was built for and the demand locally has only grown.

‘Doctors appointments take a long time and all we see is delay in the NHS and waiting lists because they are overworked.

‘So why not another hospital? It would be much more inspiring and better than just more housing.’

Retired Philip Davis, 65, said he just wanted to see the site transformed as soon as possible.

He said: ‘It’s a real shame looking at it like that. It’s not doing anything at the moment.’

Star Living were approached for comment.