Club looks to reduce flats plan

Kent County Cricket Club’s plans for a complex of retirement flats overlooking the famous St Lawrence Ground look set to be scaled down.

Proposals for 60 apartments were sensationally granted by Canterbury City Council’s planning committee last year – despite having been recommended by officers for refusal.

Minutes before, club chairman George Kennedy had suggested the club would have to leave the city if the application was turned down.

But despite last year’s approval, developer Mccarthy & Stone has now submitted a fresh application for a scaled down scheme of 54 apartments.

The application, for a site on the Old Dover Road side of the ground is recommended for approval at next Tuesday’s committee meeting.

Its envisages 54 flats in a four-storey building, which comprises eight one-bedroom flats and 46 two-bedroom flats for people aged over 55. Access would be from The Drive next to the Sainsbury’s store.

Four people have objected to the application, detailing concerns with the density of the development, its visual impact and its effect on the conservation area around it.

But planning officers are recommending the scheme is approved with a condition that some units are designated “affordable housing”. The developer must also make a financial contribution to “highway improvements”.

The officer’s report to councillors states: “The principle of the development of the site has previously been accepted and the application now seeks planning permission for a development of a reduced scale and a reduced number of units to that previously approved.

“The scheme is considered to be acceptable in terms of its built form and design, subject to conditions.”

The planning meeting takes place at the Guildhall at 6.30pm

St Lawrence Ground