60 Bed Care Home Broadstairs, Kent

Following a Pre-Application on the site, Warner Planning were appointed to submit an outline application to Thanet District Council to erect a 60 bed, care home on this area of previously developed land in Broadstairs, Kent.

The parcel of land was previously occupied by a warehouse structure which had since been demolished and the site was being used as a site office and compound for the 153 house development to the rear of the site. Protected trees under TPO’s bound the site and form a buffer between the site and the residential development behind, and the proposed scheme retains this existing woodland.

The local housing needs assessment identified an acute need for care homes in Broadstairs which supported the principle of development for this site.

The proposed design of the care home at this Outline application stage reflected the advice received in the pre-application process which resulted in a proposal which complements the surrounding settings, reflects the development adjacent to the site and is fully policy compliant such as including step free access and wheelchair accessible footpaths.

The proposal received support from the case officer who considered that the overriding need for care home facilities in the area and the economic benefits it will bring tipped the planning balance in favour and they took the application to Planning Committee with a recommendation for approval.

The application was presented at Planning Committee by Warner Planning where concerns were raised about the management of the protected woodland surrounding the site due to a previous Woodland Management document for the adjacent development which impacted on the application site. As a result, Warner Planning submitted a new Woodland Management Plan which addressed the concerns raised. Following this, a site visit was arranged with counsellors which was also supported by Warner Planning.

The outline application returned to Planning Committee where it was approved by councellors subject to conditions. A subsequent reserved matters application will be required where the details of the layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the building will be provided to the Council.

Drawings credit: Illustrate Architects

Satellite Image: Google Earth