Building has ‘crucial role’ to play in city

Developers lose bid to overturn refusal of plans for 118 homes at Becket House

Developers have failed in their bid to overturn the city council’s decision to reject plans to convert BT’S Becket House building into 118 homes.

An appeal has been knocked back by the planning inspector, delighting residents in south Canterbury who feared the development would affect the character of the Oaten Hill conservation area.

Inspector Nick Palmer ruled the authority had been correct to turn down the conversion of the building at the foot of New Dover Road. The council argued that the scheme would result in the loss of irreplaceable office space and adversely affect the character of the area.

It is a view shared by Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Dick Vane-wright

Association. Chairman Dick Vane- Wright, who attended the planning appeal hearing in July, said: “Given the new Local Plan, which will result in a huge increase in Canterbury’s population, we strongly supported the council’s case for refusal.

“To encourage local employment requires the retention and improvement of commercial premises near the city centre.

“We are thus delighted with this result. We were also very concerned that the dense housing development proposed would increase traffic congestion on Oaten Hill and Upper Chantry Lane.”

The city council’s planning committee rejected the application by Telereal Trillium/british Telecommunications in April 2016. It cited reasons including the loss of employment floor space in the city, the impact on the local economy and the effect of the proposal on two adjoining conservation areas.

Its decision prompted the firm to seek an appeal. But in his ruling Mr Palmer concluded he had “identified harms to the character and appearance of the area and the local economy”.

“There are no other matters that weigh in favour of the proposal that would alter the planning balance,” he added.

After the appeal, planning committee chairman Cllr Jenny Samper said: “Naturally we are pleased the inspector has supported our decision.

“This is a building in a prime location that can still have a very important role to play in provid- ing office accommodation in the city. If the appeal had been allowed, it would have been lost for ever.”

BT still uses parts of the building, but other floors are empty. The council says it will work with the company to explore future options to help it remain within the district.

Telereal Trillium declined to comment.

Residents feared the development would affect the character of the Oaten Hill conservation area