Hythe

23 May 2008.
Hythe Civic Society has cited the following objections to Shepway District Council Planning Officers with regard to Planning Application (Y08/0385/SH for the demolition of Summerhayes, Cliff Road and the erection of a four storey block of 11 Flats and associated car parking.

Hythe Civic Society object to this proposal. Of particular concern is that it will contravene policy BE12 which states that:

“Planning Permission for further development within the following Areas of Special Character as defined on the Proposals Map will not be granted Planning Permission if the development will harm the existing character of that area, by reason of either a loss of existing vegetation, especially in relation to important skylines; or a significant reduction in the ratio between developed and undeveloped space or a greater visual impact of buildings:

Where sites are allocated for development within these areas, proposals will only be permitted if the design blends in terms of scale, mass and architectural details with the character of the surrounding area.”

Summerhayes is an exceptional 1930’s property whose loss will constitute an act of vandalism.

Hythe Civic Society has cited the following objections to Shepway District Council Planning Officers with regard to Planning Application (Y08/0195/SH for demolition of 102 North Road and the construction of 12 apartments.

The proposal is contrary to the following Policies of the SDLP (Shepway District Local Plan):

BE4, which states that “The District Planning Authority will:

a. refuse Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of buildings which contribute to the character or appearance of a Conservation Area;
b. refuse proposals for infill or backland development which would adversely affect the character of a Conservation Area;
c. require the height, scale, form and materials of new development, including alterations or extensions to existing buildings, to respect the character of Conservation Areas;
d. seek to retain materials, features, and details of unlisted buildings or structures which preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Conservation Areas;
e. seek to retain the historic patterns, plot boundaries, building lines, open spaces, footways, footpaths, and kerblines which are essential to the character or appearance of Conservation Areas;
f. protect trees, verges and hedgerows which enhance both the setting and character of Conservation Areas.”

North Rd is within the Conservation Area.

BE12, which states that “Planning Permission for further development within the following Areas of Special Character as defined on the Proposals Map will not be granted if the development will harm the existing character of that area, by reason of either a loss of existing vegetation, especially in relation to important skylines; or a significant reduction in the ratio between developed space or greater visual impact of buildings.”

North Rd is an Area of Special Character by virtue of its low level of density. The erection of a block of 10 flats following the demolition of the existing single dwelling will destroy the existing character of the area. Furthermore, the developer has already threatened an existing badger sett by the felling of trees within the site.

TR11 states that “Proposals which involve the formation of a new access, or would result in the intensification of the use of an existing access, will only be permitted where:-

a. the access is not detrimental to the safety of vehicle traffic, cyclists and pedestrians or
b. the access can alternatively be improved to a standard acceptable to the Highway Authority or
c. the applicant can demonstrate by means of a traffic impact study that the proposal would not increase the risk of accidents or create delays.”

North Rd is often reduced to single file traffic access as a result of on-street car parking. Furthermore there is a lack of footway provision for pedestrians. Delays for both vehicular traffic and pedestrians already exist, and would be further exacerbated by the erection of the proposed block of flats, which would also set a precedent for further development of this type.

Hythe Civic Society has cited the following objections to Shepway District Council Planning Officers with regard to Planning Application (Y07/0931/SH) for an Amusement Centre in Hythe High Street.

1) The proposal is contrary to Annex D of PPG6, which sets out the Government’s policy on the location of Amusement Centres. To quote: “Amusement centres are most appropriately sited in secondary shopping centres, or areas of mixed commercial development. They are unlikely to be acceptable in primary shopping areas.” Hythe High Street is without doubt, the primary shopping area of Hythe.

2) The proposal is contrary to Policy S5 of the Shepway District Local Plan (SDLP), which states that:
“Proposals for the development, redevelopment, or change of use of ground floor units in Hythe Shopping Area to any other class will only be allowed where it is demonstrated that they are appropriate to the character of the shopping area”; An Amusement centre is inappropriate to Hythe primary shopping area.

Furthermore, the Civic Society believes it is relevant that the proposal is contrary to Policy LR15 of the SDLP, even though this only specifically refers to Folkestone Town Centre, and not to Hythe.