Planning permission for 220 homes submitted

Catesby Estates have today submitted an application for 220 homes and a large 200 person car park to Canterbury City Council.

Catesby Estates have submitted plans for Bernacre View - a large 220 home housing development directly opposite Whitstable Heights. The plan has 70 less homes than were initially proposed during an online public consultation in December but local Labour councillors are still concerned about the scale of the development and loss of green space.

Cllr Val Kenny has been quoted as saying that housing development in Whitstable feels like the "Wild West" and this application is a case in point. This application would have been historically refused as outside it falls outside the urban area of Whitstable, however Canterbury City Council are in a presumption state because of they have failed to deliver enough affordable housing across the district. In a presumption state - developers will be granted planning permission unless it can be proved the development brings "adverse impact or doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the national planning framework taken as a whole. Planning guidance in the current local plan is irrelevant.

Over 100 people attended a public meeting convened by the Labour Party on the issue in January. We are opposing this development and are currently applying for the application to be heard at a public meeting. We are meeting with the Thanet Way Residents Association to prepare our objections.

If you wish to object you can do so online at https://pa.canterbury.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RQULJ0EAMGD00&activeTab=summary

The deadline for objections is 7th April.