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Developer submits plan to build up to 74 homes off Reading Street Road in Broadstairs

Objections are already being lodged after a developer submitted plans to build up to 74 homes on farmland close to a beauty spot.

The scheme by Land Allocation Ltd is for a new housing estate on fields off Reading Street Road and Convent Road, in Broadstairs, near Kingsgate.

The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs .Picture: Land Allocation Ltd
The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs .Picture: Land Allocation Ltd

The site is one of the Isle's 'green wedges' - the open area which maintains the distinction between the countryside and built-up locations - and is a stone's throw from the exclusive North Foreland Golf Club.

It is close to Kingsgate Bay and just a mile from the award-winning Joss Bay, one of Kent's most popular beaches.

Land Allocation says it wants to build on the five hectares of agricultural land and argues that the site has no local or national ecological or landscape designations.

In a planning statement, drawn up by AAH Planning Consultants, the developer says the scheme would include public open space and landscaping.

They said: "The internal layout of the site, the number of dwellings, and the associated design would all be submitted as a reserved matters scheme, so the extent of design solutions in relation to appearance have not been finalised.

The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs.Picture: Land Allocation Ltd
The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs.Picture: Land Allocation Ltd

"In addition, the proposed development would be taking place on a site well located to the existing built form of Broadstairs and St Peter’s, hence the introduction of residential dwelling units would likely draw from the character of this housing area.

"It is considered that there is scope to create a residential development that is well related and has a distinctive design that forms a clear extension to the existing settlement."

Access is proposed from Convent Road, where work is already taking place nearby to convert the old Chaucer College into flats.

Critics raised concerns to the plan, which was approved earlier this year, due to the close proximity to the 'green wedge'.

Land Allocations Ltd says in its planning statement that the indicative masterplan of the 74-home estate "illustrates a scheme that can deliver much-needed housing in a sustainable location".

The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs.Picture: Land Allocation Ltd
The developer wants to build on land off Convent Road in Broadstairs.Picture: Land Allocation Ltd

But ward councillor Aram Rawf says it should be rejected outright.

"This is on good agricultural land," he said.

"It will have a major impact on local transport. Beacon Road is already dangerously congested and Convent Road will also be affected.

"The junction with Northdown Hill is already dangerous. It is essential that problem is addressed before there is any new development.

"How many trees and hedges will be lost, too?

Cllr Aram Rawf, who represents Beacon Road on Thanet District Council.
Cllr Aram Rawf, who represents Beacon Road on Thanet District Council.

"Seventy four is far too many houses."

Objections are already starting to come in, including one from the Broadstairs Society.

Robert Holden, from the group, says they have been here before with a previously refused plan.

"The Broadstairs Society objects to this proposal as it would erode the green wedge as well as destroying valuable high quality farmland," he said.

To see the full plan and to lodge a comment visit https://planning.thanet.gov.uk/ and search reference OL/TH/21/0941.

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