Controversial home given nod
by Hayley Robinson
Controversial plans for a £7m complex for elderly people in
Milton Regis have been given the go-ahead.
It means Wyllie Court, off Attlee Way, will be replaced with a
state-of-the-art building by social housing provider
AmicusHorizon.
It will feature 51 one and two bedroom apartments, a cafe, hair
dressing salon, activity rooms, lounge and bar and a reception
area.
Demolition of the previous building has already started.
The project is due to be completed by summer 2014. People living
in the area objected to the development, which will front North
Street, claiming it will out of keeping with the area.
Other fears included loss of privacy, that it would be an
eyesore and a suggestion that it is not suitable accommodation for
elderly people from Milton Regis because it will be too
expensive.
Swale council received two petitions totalling more than 100
signatures against the complex.
Nearby property owner Bill Francis was one of those worried
about the proposed development and the effect it would have on
existing residents.
He claimed he and his neighbours were already suffering from
increased traffic noise after a boundary fence was put up.
But the council’s major projects officer, Jim Wilson,
recommended the scheme be given the go-ahead when the committee
discussed the matter.
In his report he argued the development would not be “overly
dominant” or “out of scale” and could become a “landmark” building
which would improve the area.
He wrote: “It should be stressed that this is an important,
high-profile site and as such any development permitted on it must
be capable of performing the role of a ‘landmark’ building.
“This, by definition, requires a building of good design in
order to ensure that the proposal brings about an appropriate
improvement to the area.”
Members deferred the decision and called for a site meeting last
month. Following the visit the application was passed by the
committee when it met at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne,
last Thursday.
An AmicusHorizon spokesman said the association was delighted
with the news.
10/12/12
- Click here for more Sittingbourne news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...