A plan to convert the British Heart Foundation shop in Margate High Street into three smaller shops with flats on the floor above will be discussed by councillors next week.
The application from Silverland Properties proposes three retail units and three 2 bed flats and one 1 bed flat on the first floor.
Currently British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical store occupies the property over two storeys but this would change with the plans being for a split of retail into three units at ground floor, change of use of the first floor of the building to create flats and an additional two storey rear extension.
Planning documents say the 1960s building, which previously housed the CO-OP and Mackays stores, would become three smaller shops plus at first floor level the existing concrete finish would be replaced by six full length glazed windows to serve flats 1, 2 and 3, with light grey reinforced concrete over cladding between each set of windows.
The rear of the site faces onto Herbert Place and towards the multi storey car park. The developer wants to create a two storey extension with double glazed dark grey aluminium framed windows to serve flat 4. The stairwell will be redesigned to create a separate access for the flats and a separate access for the shops.
The proposals will provide cycle parking and 4 long stay parking spaces for the flats and 3 long stay spaces for commercial employees.
Two public objections have been received raising concerns that include an additional prior approval application being submitted to the council for the erection of two additional storeys above the building to provide six more apartments in addition to the four on the first floor,
The concern stated is: “This is just the first part of the planning application for these premises, which if passed will lead to a two-storey extension (application PN13/TH/23/004) being considered which will give a total 10 flats in this location.”
The overall development, including the extra two storeys, provoked a number of objections about height and the impact of more residential units in a trading area.
Several other objections also comment on the proposed height of the building and the predicted negative impact of 10 residential units in a commercial trading area.
The prior notification application is still under consideration. It will be decided after the scheme for the four flats and three shops.
A Thanet council planning officer says: “The proposed development retains retail use at ground floor level together with an active shop front and therefore does not conflict with the council’s Town Centre policies.
“The change of use of the first floor of the building to create 4 residential units would meet the requirements of Policy H01 and provide a good standard of living accommodation for future occupiers and would not result in significant harm to the residential amenities of nearby residential occupiers.
“ It is therefore recommended that Members approve the application subject to a signed unilateral undertaking being received, and the addition of safeguarding conditions.”
Ward councillor Helen Whitehead has called the application in to be discussed at a planning committee meeting on July 19.
The way our high streets are heading many more should be converted into much needed homes.
But who would want to live there. The top half of that town is full of drunks and crack addicts at night
And stinks of piss in the day, Sheldons needs to be persuaded to close and a comprehensive plan for the top end of the high street formed and adopted, there’s already been one building converted nearby and reverting more to housing that requires no car parking and is close to transport links seems the obvious route for a tatty end of margate.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to Edgar road and its surrounds when the Rise project takes over the Oasis building for its services. You’d almost think the council wants the area to decline again,
Hatherley Court is a never ending tale of antisocial behaviour.
Julian court has been allowed to rot and similarly been the centre of drug dealing for many years, but is finally showing signs of being improved.
Glenwood hotel was used for a few years as the councils emergency housing needs ( before paramount were contracted) and dragged the road down whilst used a s such. Effectively moving problems from surrey road when the Leslie finally closed. Edgar road could do with a few years of peace and quiet to recover a bit.
Overlooking a dirty filty urinated drug area.. Holy mother of God Whitehead are you nuts.. Its dank upstairs.. Flats… No windiws no air and parking.. Adding floors.. Retail what.. Its not that big
Cllr Whitehead calling it in means she is raising concern
Surely the problem is antisocial behaviour associated with drugs and alcohol that needs addressing. The top end of the high street has little future other than conversion to housing.
I was chatting to a police officer a few weeks ago and was told that a few years ago there was one county lines gang operating in Thanet, thee are now about 20, I hardly think that this increase is due to a dozen or so people that congregate at the top of the high street so who is the market for.
If approved it means that one of the clean and decent looking shops on the High Street will be lost. And if TDC does approve, then convert the whole building to flats as what use are three smaller shop units when there are already so many empty in the High Street. That may also negate the need to do an extension.
The whole plans should not be approved it certainly not be for local people or social housing there are more retail spaces occupied in the high street both trading areas the lower high street the old Barclay building is still vacant another business will be open in the old halifax building all other premises are nearly full up not many empty spaces in retail at the top end cannot say there is all its of empty shops the centre has only two retail spaces to let TDC do not approve the last who would the flats be for people with money I suppose and for sale.
The High Street does not need more shops, the entire building would be better turned into much needed accommodation given our current housing crisis. Why don’t they turn it into veterans accommodation.
Big shops unless there selling food have had there day. Overheads leccy ect far to expensive. You only have to look at b and q in Sturry they gave up half the store to aldi and this is a company with cash in the bank.