Kentish Express Ashford & District
Flat will be added to post office
Improvements are to be made to an “untidy” and “uncared for” building in Kennington.
Planning permission has been granted to add an extension to the post office and dental surgery in Faversham Road, which will be used for a one-bedroom flat.
Although the proposal gained approval from Ashford council’s planning committee, councillors raised concerns over the current state of the building and previous work that has been carried out on it.
Cllr Phil Sims, ward member for the area, said prior work had “not been up to standards” and worried this would happen again.
He said the “property is uncared for, dilapidated and doesn’t fit in with the neighbourhood”.
He did support the application, however, adding that it was the “only logical outcome” and said it was important to retain a post office, as a previous application proposed removing it.
Cllr Jill Britcher, who lives in Kennington but is ward member for Beaver, said people in the area are disappointed with way it has been developed.
She said: “Considering the standards were ignored before, we have no guarantee it will be done this time. And if not, what redress do we have? My expectations are low.”
Leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson added that the building was “untidy” and said tiles were missing. However, he said that the layout of the post office was better. As well as adding the extension, the proposal also sought to rectify works which have been carried out and do not comply with building regulations.
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