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Plans for apartment block on North Foreland estate in Cliff Promenade, Broadstairs, spark fury

Plans to build a three-storey block of flats on the cliff-top of an exclusive estate have been met with fury by neighbours.

Applicant Leon Piper wants to demolish the existing property - called Seagulls on Cliff Promenade in North Foreland, Broadstairs - and in its place create eight two-bed flats.

The site is in Cliff Promenade in Broadstairs Pic: Google
The site is in Cliff Promenade in Broadstairs Pic: Google

But residents on the estate, where properties can fetch upwards of £1 million, warn the "eyesore" would be an over-development and cause more traffic on the typically quiet roads.

In objections sent to Thanet District Council, some also raised concerns that the planned block's underground parking could put the cliff's future stability at risk.

Others questioned what would be done with the rest of the land behind the proposed flats and whether this would mean more development in the future.

Broadstairs Town Council submitted an objection to Thanet council, warning it was an over-development of the site.

"[It is] out of keeping with the street scene and any potential underground parking may cause considerable harm to the development and the neighbouring properties due to destabilising of the cliff face," the authority said.

And Robert Holden, from The Broadstairs Society, also objected on behalf of his group - calling it a "development of street scene contempt".

How the development might look. Picture: GPM2 Design
How the development might look. Picture: GPM2 Design
The site on Cliff Promenade. Picture: GPM2 Design
The site on Cliff Promenade. Picture: GPM2 Design

In a statement to the council, put together by GPM2 Design, the applicant, which reduced the number of flats in the plan from 10 down to eight, states the scheme is part of the evolution of the estate.

"The North Foreland Estate is an attractive and eclectic mix of individual properties that has evolved into a highly desirable residential area," they said.

"It has continued to evolve in the early 21st century through the introduction of more modern designs and a change in mix, introducing high quality apartments that provide a greater choice of accommodation and help beneficially vary the area demographic.

"This scheme is part of that evolution, taking its cue from recently permitted modernist schemes that retain the character of the area while optimising the potential of their respective sites."

Members of the planning committee will discuss the scheme on Wednesday night and have been recommended to defer and delegate for approval.

To see the plans visit www.thanet.gov.uk/services/planning/ and search reference F/TH/20/0842.

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