Yet another planning application has been submitted to change the use of former student accommodation at the previous Canterbury Christ Church University campus in Broadstairs.
The latest application comes from Jamie Copland of RW (Margate) Ltd with proposals for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) with 84 rooms.
Mr Copland, who already owns other HMO buildings in Thanet, proposes the 84 Bed HMO which is split into ‘units’ across the floor levels with a shared kitchen for each unit.
Application documents say: “The proposal offers much needed housing accommodation in an area that has seen significant increase in demand for HMOs. The site is also very well positioned with good transport links and with in walking distance of shops and areas of employment.”
The building has been empty since the university left Thanet in 2018.
Nelson College London proceeded with an offer in September 2021 for all the buildings and the purchase completed in May 2022.
In November 2022 Nelson College agreed to let the Northwood Court premises to Clearsprings Ready Homes who provide accommodation for asylum seekers under contract to the Home Office. Some occupants were moved into the premises but it was noted that certain conditions of the lease had not been met. The occupants were removed, and the lease was revoked.
Planning permission was granted on 19th October 2023 for the change of use from student accommodation to proposed workers accommodation in association with Thanet Earth but this proposal did not progress any further.
At the end of last year a proposal to use the former student accommodation to accommodate up to 86 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children was lodged with Thanet council.
The application was made by Ready Homes with the site identified by Kent County Council (KCC) and Ready Homes as a suitable location for the Reception Centre which will provide specialist accommodation and support the UAS Children’s Service.
Ready Homes is a provider of social services care leaver accommodation under a contract with Kent County Council and also contracted by the government to find and operate accommodation for people awaiting asylum claims.
This application is still live and yet to be determined by Thanet council.
The HMO application can be found on Thanet council’s planning portal under reference F/TH/24/0690
The unaccompanied asylum-seeking children’s centre application, which has prompted hundreds of objection letters, can be found under reference F/TH/23/1574
