Home   Sheerness   News   Article

Swale council planning committee members visit Seager Road development in Sheerness

Views about how 35 properties have breached planning permission were aired at a site meeting.

Moat Homes is building 27 homes and eight flats on land to the rear of Seager Road, Sheerness.

They were found to have diverged from their original 2010 application after residents raised concerns with Swale council.

The controversial Seager Road homes
The controversial Seager Road homes

The developer is now seeking retrospective permission to incorporate the changes, which include the height of the eaves of the homes being 1.6m higher than agreed and the flats, 1.7m, the window design being altered, integral garages being made narrower and a footpath between the site and Beckley Road being altered.

Roughly 30 people, mainly residents of Seager Road, Barnsley Close and Beckley Road which border the development, attended the site meeting last Wednesday.

Laurence Mineham, the agent and architect for Moat, asked that they concentrate on the changes to the main scheme while one of his colleagues asked they take into consideration that all of the properties would be affordable.

Susan Holmes, of Barnsley Close, said: “If it wasn’t for us, if it wasn’t for our persistence, no one would know about it. That’s what Moat Homes wanted.

Views from the bedroom level of the homes facing Seager Road, Sheerness
Views from the bedroom level of the homes facing Seager Road, Sheerness

“We are all shocked and we are all angry that this has been allowed to happen.”

She added: “Three houses away they still dominate the skyline. Everyone feels uncomfortable and we don’t want to go out into our gardens any more.”

Lisa Wilson, of Seager Road, said they had originally been assured the homes would not be taller than those in her street but no feels “like we are being watched in a prison courtyard”.

Paul Schembri, of Seager Road, said the garages were too small to effectively fit a family-sized car and there would be a lot more on-street parking as a result which could lead to accidents.

Views from the bedroom level of the homes facing Seager Road, Sheerness
Views from the bedroom level of the homes facing Seager Road, Sheerness

Peter MacDonald, of Minster Parish Council, said: “I ask why a stop notice wasn’t issued immediately.”

Shirley Hutchinson, of Beckley Road, said one of the properties had been built over a right of passage behind her home.

Other residents said the height of the buildings was cutting out natural sunlight and will also infringe upon their human rights.

The application is due to be decided at a meeting on Thursday.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More