Planning Report January 2024
General
• Daedalus Waterfront. Following approval of the development plans at GBC’s Regulatory Board we are awaiting advice on the commencement of development. We will contact the Daedalus Development Company for a report in time for the Spring Review. It is hoped the current financial outlook will not compromise the outline proposals and plans presented to date.
• The former Care Home Chesterholm, on the corner of Brittain and Swanage Roads that became a cannabis farm is once again vacant Posted for sale and advertised as suitable for multiple occupation, an HMO. The Ward Councillor has written to GBC’s planning department reminding them of the local opposition to the potential of an HMO in this part of Lee and reminding the planners that a residence of 5 or more unrelated households must obtain prior registration for use as an HMO.
• Haslar Immigration Holding Centre, it seems likely that updating activity for re-use has started by the number of contractor vehicles parked adjacent to the site.
Planning Applications
The Woodburning Sauna caravan, application 23/00396/Full, has been approved and is now in use behind the beach huts near the central toilet block. The town can also provide additional personal heat experiences from a tanning salon, due to open on the high street. The question is; will the Sauna facility on the lower promenade open the door to other beachside businesses.
Manor Way Field, application 23/00354/GR3. The original plans for the development of this open space were to include a barrier of parkland between Manor Way with the allotments at the rear. The revised plan, submitted following a change of council leadership, is dedicating the whole site to allotments with a car parking and facilities area in the centre. After some minor amendments to the access road and facilities in the central area the revised plans have been approved. There remained several local objectors who preferred the prior plans that included a park area between the road and the allotments.
56 Cambridge Road, application 23/00345/FULL, on the corner of Cambridge Road leading to the Recreation Ground, the proposals have been approved. With side, rear and front alterations including a front dormer window it will be a significant enlargement of this property together with a Garden Room. Fortunately, this is a big plot, so the changes will not over-mass the site and the design is not out of character for the area.
The Tap Room on the corner of Broom Way and the High Street. A new application 23/00415/FULL is seeking to extend the business into the corner shop next door. While this is the Conservation Area the extension to the adjoining shop and the proposed alterations to the shopfront would seem to be appropriate together with a modest extension to the outside seating area, in the same style as already in place.
23 Richmond Road, 23/00396/Full. This retrospective application for the retention of a garage and rear conservatory has been approved by GBC’s Conservation Officer without applying any specific conditions to conform to the Conservation Area and Article 4 direction. Both the LRA and GS recommended these conservation issues be formally upheld. It is hoped that the owners carry out the improvements suggested in the submitted application ensuring all formally adopted planning requirements are adopted.
77 Marine Parade East, 23/00438/FULL, a detached seafront house overlooking the yacht compound at Elmore. Approval has been obtained the add a bedroom over the garage and update the rather tired looking enclosed balcony with a refreshed and balanced frontage, quite appropriate for the location.
