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Faversham: Former factory site in Graveney Road set for 105 homes

A site which is often described as an eyesore will finally be redeveloped.

The former NOVA factory in Graveney Road is set for 105 new homes after a planning application was submitted this week.

The site, which sits just past the roundabout leading to Love Lane and Whitstable Road, has been gradually demolished over the last eight months after sitting derelict for more than seven years.

The former NOVA factory site has been cleared.
The former NOVA factory site has been cleared.

Applicant Bellway says in the planning documents: “The vision for the proposals is to create a high quality and distinctive residential development on the outskirts of Faversham consisting of 105 new homes with associated green amenity space, landscaping and car parking.”

Swale Borough Council added the spot to the emerging local plan, the blueprint for development for the next 15 years, in May last year after a call for more housing in Faversham.

The council was responding to the government planning inspector who said that more homes were needed across the borough, with ‘proportional boost to allocations in Faversham’.

The factory has gradually been demolished.
The factory has gradually been demolished.

Bellway hope to build 12 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom houses, 39 three-bedroom houses and 32 four-bedroom houses on the 7 acres of brownfield land.

There will be a scattering of open green spaces and numerous affordable homes on offer.

There is already three neighbour comments, which are all in support of the plans, but raise concerns about traffic, parking in Whitstable Road and Love Lane and provision of infrastructure.

Swale Borough Council’s planning committee will make a decision whether the plans should be approved later on in the year and the town council will have their say next month.

The site off Graveney Road is set for 105 homes
The site off Graveney Road is set for 105 homes

Cllr Ted Wilcox (Con) said this week: “I am glad to see that the eyesore site has finally been cleared and with the costs of doing this I fully understand that the only viable option was a mix of housing types.

“I will need to look carefully at the documents as there are currently 101 of these and I would encourage others to both look and add their comments.”

Newly elected Cllr Antony Hook (Lib Dem) added: “There is a real new need for new affordable housing for local people. It is a good idea for development to regenerate old sites rather than build on green fields.

Cllr Ted Wilcox.
Cllr Ted Wilcox.

“This application will have to be looked at carefully. Many people in my ward are very concerned at high traffic levels on Whitstable Road and we need to see that this development does not make that worse.

“The developers should be required to make a proper contribution to local infrastructure.”

Cllr Antony Hook.
Cllr Antony Hook.

Managing director for Bellway’s Kent division, Chris Moore, said Bellway was looking forward to receiving feedback on its plans.

He said: “As a housebuilder, redeveloping brownfield sites is incredibly important to us, and we feel that this is a fantastic opportunity to revitalise this site. It represents a great chance to provide some much-needed new homes in an area which had fallen into disrepair and had been vacant for some time.

“We’ve committed a lot of research into making sure that we are creating a development which will cater for the demand for housing in Faversham.

“Faversham is an aspirational area for buyers in the area. It’s a great market town which is full of charm and character, and offers good rail and road links as well.

“We’re looking forward to working together with Swale Borough Council, the local authorities and local residents to create a development which will enhance the community.”

To view the plans, click here and search for reference 16/508643/FULL.

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