‘Prison’ building windows break rules, says villager
after resident Tony Monk complained the first-floor flat windows were substantially smaller than ones approved last year.
The Heath Road resident said: “Coxheath is not well blessed with attractive architecture, but many in the village have very little praise for the original design of the building which stands as a centrepiece of the village.
“The use of markedly smaller windows, however, detracts even more from an attractive style as it increases the utilitarian appearance of the building. Some villagers have compared it to a prison, a sentiment I agree with.”
However, owner of the site, Shamsher Bains, said: “So far the reaction we have had from Coxheathians has been brilliant, they love it and are looking forward to it opening.”
The windows on the first-floor flats are set out in the plans as 4ft 9in; the ones installed appear to be about 12in smaller in height than they should be. Enforcement officers found because it was such a significant difference, a retrospective planning application would be needed.
Maidstone council’s planning officers will decide on the revised application unless a councillor calls it before the planning committee.
Coxheath and Hunton councillor Brian Mortimer (Lib Dem) said he had no plans to call in the application as the controversy amounts to little more than a storm in a teacup.
He said: “In my opinion it [approval] will just be a formality. It is like Marmite: either you like it or you don’t. But when the scaffolding comes down it will be a great facility for residents and we will once again have a pub back in the village.”
A decision will be made within the next three months.