Plans for 73 apartments at Old Gas Works site in Ramsgate submitted to Thanet council

How the site with housing and Aldi could look Image On Architecture

Seventy-three apartments could be built at the former gas works site in Ramsgate.

An application has been submitted to Thanet council on behalf of Thanet-based Blueberry Development Estates to create 58 flats in three new build blocks and 15 in a conversion of the listed gas works office building fronting Boundary Road.

The homes will share the site with the proposed new Aldi store.

Photo by Mike Nichols

On Architecture  has been commissioned by Blueberry Developments Estates Ltd to prepare and submit  the applications for the residential development of the western part of The Old Gas Works. The new Aldi supermarket will be on the eastern part of the site.

The Old Gas Works site currently consists of two decommissioned former gas holders on the and the Grade II listed former offices and depot.

The proposals would mean renovation and conversion of the listed building and the creation of the four-storey new buildings.

Image On Architecture 

There is a requirement for 30% affordable housing at a 30:70 shared ownership and affordable rent split. Financial contributions towards  schools, libraries, social care, healthcare and open space may also be required.

The three new blocks will consist of

Block A – 31no. apartments (17 x 1-bed and 14 x 2-bed)

Block B – 13no. apartments (3 x 1-bed and 10 x 2-bed)

Block C – 14no. apartments (3 x 1-bed and 11 x 2-bed)

Plus the listed building – 15no. apartments (5 x 1-bed and 10 x 2-bed)

How it could look Image On Architecture 

In planning documents Lee Evans Partnership says: “The design of the buildings is contemporary, drawing from an ‘industrial’ style in order to reflect the historical use of the site.”

In reference to the listed property it adds: “In the mid to late 20th Century a number of very unsympathetic internal alterations took place to the building. These range from the introduction to new rooms within original rooms, or the subdivision of rooms. This led to the loss of plasterwork and harms the character of the spaces. On the ground floor false floors where added and further internal walls were added.

Gas Works site 1910

“Today, the building is in an advanced state of decay; this is most likely due to the roof being lost in places, allowing the water in and also allowing birds into the building. This, combined with vandalism, has left the building in a precarious state.

“The extent or required repair to the building is substantial, with the complete loss of areas of ceiling, floors and wall finishes. Suspected wet and dry rot is present in various areas of the building. In its current state, the building’s interior is being lost to rot and as time progresses this loss of fabric will increase. It is clear that as a result of its poor condition, it is crucial for the building to be refurbished and brought back into active use.”

Vehicle access to the new blocks would be from St Luke’s Avenue and the converted listed building accessed from Boundary Road.

Earlier this year Aldi announced proposals to relocated to the gas works site and joint pre-application advice was given to both the store and Blueberry developments.

The store has traded from its current site opposite the gas works for the last 20 years but bosses say a move would mean the chance to increase the size of the shop and provide more parking spaces.

Currently the store has 1,20acres and wants that to increase to 1.70 acres. Parking spaces would go up from 70 to 118.

A decision is yet to be made on the application for the site.

A place in history

The gas office and depot site in Boundary Road Photo from archives of Mike Nichols

The gasworks were built in 1824 and had six gasholders. Originally it was on the other side of Boundary Road, where Aldi now is, then operated on both sides before being completely moved to the site were the red brick office and clock still stands.

It was taken on by the Local Board in 1877.The local Board and later Ramsgate Corporation ran the site until 1949.

On nationalisation in 1949 the undertaking became part of the Thanet Group of the Kent County Division of SEGB. Gas manufacture ceased at Ramsgate works in 1958 and the site became a holder station.

The offices, railed area, depot, adjoining walls and gate for the gasworks in Boundary Road are grade II listed.

During World War One, in November 1917, two bombs hit the gas works, falling between the gas holders and the rear of the office.

The site was bombed again during World War Two, in August 1940, when eight members of staff were lucky enough to survive after taking refuge in an Anderson shelter at the rear of the offices.

In 2007 and application was made to create 96 homes on the site. Some decontamination work took place but then stopped.

Demolition and remediation works then took place in 2010 but the site remained undeveloped.

It is listed in Thanet’s Draft Local Plan – outlining development plans up until 2031 -for the 96 homes.

15 Comments

  1. Disappointed with the design. Some industrial buildings of a similar era still had character built into them such as arched window and door entrances. Why not build on the character of the remaining original office building in Boundary Road. The historical use of the site will be totally lost anyway with the new store being mainly all glass. Will the new buildings have Solar Panels. ? Ground or Air Source heat pumps.? Will the car parking area’s have charging points for electric cars.?

    • I don’t know. Maybe read the full application if you’re that interested? That way you can also voice your concerns to the planners, rather than a comments section in a local online paper

  2. A very great need for affordable housing in Thanet; I’m glad to see this being addressed by any amount. The plan in 2007 was for 96, this is only for 73. What will happen to Aldi’s present site? I think there is a problem with graves from a plague era where their car park is. Could we have more houses on the Present Aldi site? Or am I being too naive?

  3. The design is very poor which is very disappointing given the key position of this site. Could the Ramsgate and TDC councillors suggest improvements at their planning committees. A good development at this site is very much needed to lift the standards in this area of Ramsgate. Do we know what is proposed for the present Aldi site?

  4. I think that whatever else happens, the original brick wall along the side of the site overlooking the Boundary Road Park should be kept. If it is removed, and an Aldi Store car park looms, then the whole feel of the Park and its environs would be lost.
    It is a largely residential and recreational area, and the nature should be kept as such as much as possible.

  5. If Blueberry build this development to the same standard as their other developments, it will surely be detrimental to the heritage and appearance of the site. The proposed flats have no character and resemble public housing of the lowest standard. Another lovely old structure being vandalised by greedy developers.

  6. It looks very good and non obstructive and would be a great improvement to the area. Hopefully the planning committee will not take ages to set the ball rolling, also it may be better for a roundabout to be installed at the junction of Boundary Road / Hardres Street. There are numerous 3/4 bed room houses in that area occupied by just one or two people it might be worth offering occupants an incentive to move into the new flats to free up houses for families. There are so many homes across THANET / UK that have just one or two people living in them 3/4/ bedrooms yet many families with children living in small over crowded flats.

    • Hello Ann
      You could try persuading the one person occupants to move, then buy their property and and arrange for purchase of new flat and removal cost, plus legal cost. Its not as simple as your rather bland statement suggests.

      • I can’t see a private firm of housebuilders offering a discount on their brand-new flats for altruistic purposes.

  7. Would be nice if the old brick wall could remain. Possibly opening up with a second exit into st lukes Ave. And should have some green space for residence to enjoy.

  8. Tony, I would think that would be down to cost. Blueberry developments are far from cheap. The wording of affordable housing confuses me affordable to who.? Those earning 25/35/45,000 per year.

  9. “Affordable housing is housing which is deemed affordable to those with a median household income or below[1] as rated by the national government or a local government by a recognized housing affordability index.”
    Wikipedia

  10. Affordable housing is much needed, but affordable it won’t be and cheap it looks, I’m all for the preservation of that beautiful building, but the rear will look like that lego set the other side of the road

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