Flats proposal for village shop turned down amid outcry

The owners of a village shop who say it is no longer viable have been refused planning permission to turn the property into four flats.

A bid was submitted to convert Rough Common Stores and the apartment above in Rough Common Road, Canterbury.

The owners claim they have been trying to sell the business for two years without success.

They also say that competition from supermarkets has made it increasingly hard for small shops to survive.

But the prospect of its loss was bemoaned by the parish council and many villagers, who objected to the change of use, saying the shop is a valuable amenity to the neighbourhood.

They argued that in new hands and with a new approach, it would be well used and thrive.

But agents for the applicant say: “Rough Common Stores has

been facing serious decline since the forced closure of the Post Office in 2017 and the remaining premises is no longer viable as a newsagent.

“My client can demonstrate a full two years of active marketing which confirms there has been very little interest in the purchase.

“The Christie Group offered the store as a vacant shop or as a going concern to ensure that we covered all potential user types.

“Although many people called

for more information, once they viewed and analysed the financial performance, none came forward with an offer for the business or property.”

But in refusing the application, planning officers for the city council said they could not support the loss of a community asset and rejected the claims the business is not viable.

They also said the accommodation proposed in the four new flats was inadequate and did not meet the required standards.

Rough Common Stores has been branded ‘no longer viable’