A new application to develop the derelict Western Undercliff café has been submitted to Thanet council.
Custom Build Developments Ltd is proposing to demolish the existing café building and build a new ground floor cafe; public toilets; sub station; and 13 flats over five floors.
The cafe shut in 2014 when a burst water pipe forced its closure. The site was then sold by Thanet council at auction for for £100,000 in 2018.
Plans submitted by then-owner Western Undercliff Ltd for a café, restaurant and flats in a “ship” shaped build were approved at the end of 2020 but ditched in January 2021 by the developer in a row with Thanet council over further financial contributions.
The site went back to auction in November 2021 with the planning consent still valid and sold for £600,000.
Amended plans have now been lodged with the council, using the same 5 storey footprint but including a reconfiguration of the residential units and axing the previously planned top floor restaurant. Instead this will be replaced by one large feature apartment and the addition of an extra floor of residential accommodation.
In total the flats will be made up of 11 two-bed and 2 one-beds.
In planning documents for the project it states: “The current building and site are unoccupiable and boarded up, representing a potential danger to the general public.
“The proposals are for the provision of good quality public amenities on the ground floor consisting of a new purpose built café along with a new DDA public toilet and electrical sub station.
“The remainder of the ground floor is for the entrance foyer and access core serving the residential floors above with bin and bike storage.
“Our client is now intending to proceed with the revised proposals without any further undue delay with current commercial pressures dictating a very rapid commencement of building works on site.”
A decision is yet to be made. Documents can be viewed on Thanet council’s planning portal under reference F/TH/23/0400
