Permission has been granted for 12 houses to be built on land at Grenham Lodge in Manston.
The site, in Manston Road, is currently occupied by Grenham Lodge and garden and paddocks and stables.
The development aims to create nine three-bed and three four-bed houses, each with two parking spaces and an EV charging point.
The proposed layout retains Grenham Lodge with the new properties to either side and to the rear. Access will be off Manston Road.
Planning documents say: “Each dwelling has a spacious play space, a variety of planting measures, bat and swallows nest provisions, and bee and insect habitats.
“The proposal includes permeable concrete paving with rich seed mix, buffer planting, front garden ornamental hedge mix, wildflowers, area for insects, improvement of existing hedgerows, wall shrubs, climbers to boundary wall and fences, planting of medium trees in buffer planting, and installation of bat boxes and swallows nest boxes.”
The plans are amended from an application lodged in 2021 for 16 homes at the site. That application was refused on grounds including density and a lack of affordable housing.
The scheme has now been reduced by four properties.
Twelve objections to the proposal were lodged with Thanet council citing concerns including highway access, lack of affordable housing, lack of footpaths, the impact on Manston as a village and impacts on wildlife and nature. One representation supporting the scheme was also made.
Manston Parish Council was in favour of the development but asked for a developer contribution to fund a traffic calming scheme and a zebra crossing outside of the development.
The report says the site would not be viable if affordable housing was demanded and so this has not been requested.
Road improvement contributions are also not requested.
A council planning report says: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed development would alter the character and appearance of the site and wider area, the reduction in numbers of dwellings, increased landscaping and altered site layout in comparison to the refused scheme would have a much reduced harmful visual impact.
“It is accepted that there is a level of harm, from close range views from Manston Road and mid and long range views from High Street and footpaths and bridleways and wider views from the surrounding landscape and built environment beyond this, particularly during construction and in the early years after completion whilst waiting for the additional soft landscaping to develop and establish.
“Over time the harm, with the establishment of the landscaping will become less pronounced.”
The planning officer concludes: “There is a need for new housing development that is in a sustainable location, with reasonable access to public facilities and amenities. The application site is located outside of the village confines but within reasonable walking and cycling distances of the village edge and its facilities and amenities.”
The proposal, lodged by Grenham Lodge owner Hazel Chandler and Phillip Thorley of Thorley Taverns, was approved on February 10.
That’s okay then ,each home will have an EV charging point, let’s give planning permission.
No shops, no buses, not even safe footpaths or cycle paths to get to shops. Another in TDC’s long list of approvals for housing that relies on car use, despite their “Climate Emergency” declaration!
I stand corrected: the 48 bus runs every 2-3 hours (and not on Sundays).
We don’t need 4 and 5 bedroom houses. We need single bed studio flats and single bed flats as starter homes for the younger generation who are living in their parents homes waiting for them to die. These flats should be in high streets converted from the empty shop buildings. Do they dont need cars or parking.
Yep totally agree Pj- These will be targeted at the DFL market with their BMW’s Merc’s and Range Mowers and not any use locally.
There goes another bit of traditional old England.
How do they let them off half of the rejection over affordable housing. Well reduce the houses to avoid the affordable housing rules. We desperately need 1,2,3 bed properties, not mini mansions for DFL buyers. Makes a mockery of the allocation system and shows manston with a very small amount of social housing. Whats the bets in 2 years a further 4 properties get applied for. So if you want to build make it under 12 properties to avoid council allocation. Cant see how the first refusal doesnt count on the same reasons given. Especially as TDC are searching for more property including 4 bed homes. Someones benefitting from it. I predict it wont be thanet residents.