Plans to demolish an existing motorcycle shop on Luton Road in Chatham and replace it with a block of six flats have been given the red light as it was deemed as "over-development" of the site. The original proposals were seeking approval to flatten the existing Barney's Bikes motorcycle shop at the junction of Luton Road with Albany Road to make way for a new block comprising of four 1-bed and two 2-bed flats. It was also planned that two separate retail units would occupy the ground floor space, although no parking spaces were included. However, on February 5 the Planning Committee decided to refuse the planning application as it was deemed an "over-development of the site". The Committee particularly expressed concern that whilst the existing site was unattractive, the proposal to provide a flatted development "did not fit with the existing street scene". The constituted "over-development of the site" could result in a "detrimental impact to existing residents in competition for on street parking provision". It was also noted that the proposed development was proposed to be a 'car-free' development but it was considered that this would be "difficult" to enforce. Within the original plans, Rochester-based Ubique Architects, who designed the proposed block on behalf of the shop owner, said that the development has been designed to "make a positive contribution to the street scene", despite it being out of character from the typical Victorian architecture along Luton Road.
No parking spaces were included after a parking survey concluded that existing parking stress levels in the surrounding streets "will be able to cope" with the additional car numbers expected to be generated, according to the architects. However, the Planning Committee noted that while the proposed development was proposed to be a 'car-free' development, it was considered "difficult" to enforce. A number of objections were lodged by local residents when the plans first aired. One resident noted the choice of one and two-bed flats could lead to an increase in social isolation and loneliness, an already detrimental problem in the Luton Road area which has seen a sharp rise in the number of family houses being converted into bedsits and houses of multiple occupation. Concerns were also raised about the development's stark and radical contrast to the "widely appreciated" Victorian street scene of Luton Road. The Planning Committee acknowledged the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for the Luton area and it was suggested that an application of this nature would be more appropriate to be considered once the Plan was in place Comments are closed.
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August 2023
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