Developers have submitted plans to convert an eyesore eleven-storey office block in Chatham High Street into 81 flats. Cannon Capital Developments Ltd is requesting permission from Medway Council for an office-to-residential change of use. No improvements will be made to the building's unsightly facades and the adjoining Medway County Court is not included in this proposal. If approved, the office building will consist of 16 studio, 25 one-bed and 40 two-bed flats, while the existing 78 car parking spaces will be retained and 81 new cycle parking spaces will be provided. The car parking provision falls below the maximum level of parking outlined in the Medway Council standards of 1.5 spaces per dwelling, however, it is considered a "suitable level of provision due to the town centre location" of the site. The developer is using the controversial 'Permitted Development Rights' to change the use of the building, which is known to produce 'miserable' homes where it is commonplace for families to be forced into cramped flats in former office blocks with few amenities.
Currently in England it is possible for developers to deliver housing through a system known as Permitted Development Rights (PDR). Developments delivered through this system do not need to go through the full local planning process, meaning that local councils cannot scrutinise a development proposal for key issues such as quality or space standards. Even though the PDR system is delivering new housing, charity Shelter estimates that urban councils have missed out on over 10,000 affordable homes over the last three years due to this process. You can have view the full plans by visiting the Medway Planning Portal website. Photos: Google Maps
Nick
30/7/2020 09:09:51
A very disappointing proposal! I fail to see how this proposal - to turn an eyesore office block into poor quality accommodation with no improvements to the facade - is consistent with Medway Council's recent announcement to revitalise Chatham High Street between the Star Hill and Sun Pier conservation areas. If the Council is serious about regenerating the area, then surely we must have more ambition and can do better than this! 5/8/2020 11:27:11
I see the point of this changing it into flats and next to new built flats they will not have a nice view and no new schools or doctors to cope with the extra families
Christine Powell
5/8/2020 16:13:14
This is a missed opportunity. Medway Council regeneration team could have com up with a counter proposal that included some social resources, applied for funding and got Medway Homes to run it. Social housing with some affordable could work and help to tackle local homelessness and enable residents to improve their quality of life. Another Tory get rich quick scheme that will fail miserably. Is there no one in Medway Council who can do a bit of blue sky thinking? 😤 Comments are closed.
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