Permission has been granted to create a new Aldi store in Ramsgate at the former Boundary Road gasworks site.
The store has traded from its current site opposite the gas works for the last 20 years but bosses say a move would mean increased size of the shop and provide more parking spaces.
Currently the store has 1.20 acres and wants that to increase to 1.70 acres – equating to a 1,900 sqm store. Parking spaces would go up from 70 to 118, including 6 disabled spaces, 11 parent and child and 2 active electric vehicle charging spaces.
The development will be on the eastern side of the former gasworks site and excludes the listed building. It will include a new pedestrian access onto St Lukes Avenue and involves the part demolition of the curtilage listed boundary wall for vehicle access, along with the soft and hard landscaping of the proposed car park area.
Amendments have been made to the original plans to enable the majority of the Hardres Road boundary wall to be retained. Shrubs and 14 trees will be planted and log habitat piles, bat boxes and sparrow boxes will be installed.
A pedestrian island and crossing point is proposed for Boundary Road. A legal agreement with Thanet council also requires an off-site financial contribution of £22,000 towards the provision of active electric vehicle charging spaces within Ramsgate car parks, with a claw-back of the contribution if not spent within 5 years of payment,
A decision notice for approval of the scheme was published on July 10.
Planning permission has already been granted for the redevelopment of the western part of the former gasworks site for residential use, including the change of use and conversion of the listed building to residential flats.
Permission for 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 was given in January.
Blueberry Homes, which is also carrying out the Pleasurama site on Ramsgate seafront, will provide 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)
The gasworks
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 work stopped until Blueberry Homes started the development this year
That is very good news as it will enable ALDI to be a much safer store in terms of social distancing
Can’t see how that’s going to happen.Any extra space will be taken up by the people living in the new flats.Also with extra traffic on Hardres road and no fencing around the park,kids,dogs and balls are in increased danger.
Most of the boundary wall will be kept. The first picture is misleading.
Martin, hopefully by the time the store is opened the Coronavirus vaccine will be in use. But I take your point.
I’m so glad that most of the existing wall will be kept. I really don’t think the area generally and the recreation ground in particular will be enhanced by having an Aldi car park looming over it.
I’m concerned that much more traffic will be using Hardres to gain access to the Aldi site. Many families with children use the rec, and also use Hardes to get to a local primary school
It’s a real shame that such a beautiful and historic building can’t be adapted rather than demolished. Others have managed to do it (Royal Sea Bathing Hospital, Prospect Inn, etc).
No, you have been misinformed. The gas works office is to be retained and converted into flats.
They are not demolishing the building, the article says they have permission for change of use and conversion
That’s great news! Thanks for the clarifications.
This will ruin the area totally all in the name of greed
What use would you suggest for the site, Ian?
Peter, I don’t think the main building is going to be demolished at all they are just changing the inside of it from offices to 15 flats.
Peter, they are not knocking the main building down it will stay the same. They are altering the inside to accommodate 15 flats.
Blueberry group of companies again,great stuff. keep up the good work !
Let’s hope that Blueberry Homes continue to help regenerate Ramsgate with this development of the old gasworks building together with the long derelict Pleasurama site and are not discouraged by the recent Government decision to allow Manston to reopen as a cargo hub.
I hope that the clock will be retained and kept in working order. Perhaps a sum of money should be invested or logged with a competent body [Preferably not RTC] to make sure it is kept and repaired when ever necessary.
Can a bicycle rack be provided at the new store as Aldis have removed it from the existing one.
Just get on with it! This is an ugly disused site, and it will be a great amenity, although I am a bit worried about extra traffic to Boundary Road, which can be a problem when the schools let out kids! Perhaps a couple of Zebra Crossings should be installed.