A planning appeal opens today {January 14}over proposals to build 115 houses on land off Foxborough Lane in Minster.
Developer Gladman lodged the appeal with the Planning Inspectorate last year over Thanet council’s refusal to grant permission for the scheme.
Last June proposals for the development, which includes several pedestrian crossings and the demolition of 97 Tothill Street to create emergency access, were rejected.
A similar scheme from Gladman was also rejected in July 2022.
The 5.30 hectares site comprises part of an arable field on the eastern edge of Minster. Gladman says the development would include including 30% affordable housing, a network of connected and accessible green spaces, containing a children’s play area, a community orchard and allotments.
Refusal
The applications were refused for reasons including the loss of grade 1 agricultural land, a possible increased risk of foul flooding from the sewer network, a lack of assessment on impacted wildlife, possible congestion and impact on existing residents and failure to demonstrate it would provide acceptable pedestrian links.
The main distinction between the two proposals is the second application includes the provision of an emergency access and shared surface pedestrian and cycle route to the north west of the site following demolition of 97 Tothill Street.
Appeal statement
In a statement of case for the appeal the developer anticipates that it will use three expert witnesses in respect of planning matters, landscape and transport accessibility.
The statement says: “Evidence will be adduced to demonstrate the beneficial economic impacts of the appeal proposal. Delivery of new market and affordable homes in Minster is a key contributor that will enable the council to promote and sustain a strong, responsive and competitive economy.
“Economic benefits will arise through the construction and operational phase of the development, with the latter including, inter alia, increased expenditure available in the area to support services and facilities.
“It will be demonstrated that the appeal proposals will deliver new homes of the right type and mix, at the right place and at the right time to meet market and affordable housing need, including:
“The delivery of up to 115 new homes to significantly boost the supply of housing and to help TDC achieve and maintain a minimum five-year housing land supply.
“The delivery of up to 35 affordable homes (30% of the total number of dwellings) to address the acute need for affordable housing in the Thanet.”
When the rejected proposals were first revealed in 2021 a Minster action group was set up by residents opposed to the scheme. The first application prompted more than 300 objections including from residents, councillors Reece Pugh and Abi Smith, Monkton Residents Association, Campaign to Protect Rural England Kent, Minster Parish Council, MP Sir Roger Gale, Monkton Parish Council and Southern Water.
Dozens of objections were again lodged against the second application with concerns over flood risk and sewer capacity, increased traffic, lack of infrastructure, destruction of grade I agricultural land and wildlife habitat.
The Minster Action Group says issues include concerns over:
- road network
- pedestrian access to the village from site being inadequate and a safety issue
- loss of best and most versatile agricultural land
- surface drainage
- site not in the Thanet Local Plan
- harm to landscape character,
- not needed as the village has already contributed its fair share of new housing to the wider Thanet housing need
- inadequate access
The hearing
The Inspector appointed to decide the appeal is D Wallis MRTPI, BSc (Hons), PGDip (Environmental Planning).
The inquiry will open at 10am today with six sitting days scheduled.
In-Person – Tuesday 14th January – Friday 17th January
Virtual- Tuesday 21st January – Wednesday 22nd January
The in-person event is being held at the Thanet council Chamber.
The virtual event will be held using Google Meet, the meeting room will be open and available to join from 9:30am onwards on Tuesday 21st January at: meet.google.com/vkh-myuo-hpj
Members of the public may attend the inquiry for both the in person event and the virtual event.
The decision is expected to be issued on or before 28th February 2025.
So this developer actually appealed?? Damn cheek! If his appeal is successful, it means even less of our dwindling farmland and more big fat profits for him. Proof that he cares only for his wallet, and naught for our way of life.
Good reasons for not allowing this but how many appeals does it take to get you own way now?