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Concerns expanding 'obtrusive' flats in Herne Bay will cause more accidents

A woman hit by a car near her home fears more accidents will happen if a bid to extend a block of flats is allowed to go ahead.

Julia Morrissey was knocked down on a zebra crossing opposite Durham House in Canterbury Road, Herne Bay.

A CGI showing how the development will look
A CGI showing how the development will look

She believes plans to expand the residential complex will increase congestion issues in the area and make the surrounding roads more dangerous.

Durham House owner Kultar Vagha, of firm Platinum Gold Homes, has unveiled proposals to add six more homes to the building, fronting Mickleburgh Hill.

The firm believes the planned development will create “good quality” properties that will fit seamlessly into the area.

But neighbours have already objected to the plans, citing the traffic fears and concerns the development will dramatically alter the appearance of the street.

Ms Morrissey explained: “This development will add more cars to the already busy and dangerous roads.

“I myself was knocked down by a car on the zebra crossing opposite Durham House, and there have also been several near-misses.”

Mr Vagha had plans to build two three-storey homes on the site snubbed by Canterbury City Council three years ago.

He appealed the decision, but it was thrown out by inspectors.

Resident Luke Church says the latest scheme will “completely change the street scene with a domineering property that’s taller and more obtrusive than anything else in the road”.

This comes after Platinum Gold Homes revealed images showing how it expects the extension to look.

The bid to expand the block of flats has prompted a number of complaints from residents
The bid to expand the block of flats has prompted a number of complaints from residents

One of the new flats in the three-storey extension will have three bedrooms, while the rest will have two.

Documents submitted to Canterbury City Council by the firm say: “This is a sustainable proposal which creates good quality new dwellings on previously developed land.

“The extension respects the host building, and character and scale of the local area.”

Durham House was occupied by the mental health division of the Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust, before its conversion into flats was given the go-ahead in 2015.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay

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