Plans for over-50s caravan homes on site of Frith Business Park in Aldington near Ashford
12:49, 27 July 2021
updated: 15:22, 27 July 2021
A business centre could be transformed into a caravan park with 30 homes for the over-50s.
The plans for the site, which is about a mile west of Aldington in Frith Road, would see the existing commercial buildings torn down and the new 'park homes' put up in their place.
Planning permission has already been granted for converting the business centre into 10 homes but developers now want to increase the number of properties on the site.
The proposed homes would, the developers Frith Business Park say, increase the housing stock for older people looking to downsize – therefore freeing up larger homes for growing families.
Since the plans were lodged with Ashford Borough Council, a small number of residents have so far expressed their opposition to the scheme. None have expressed support.
Objections to the homes – which one respondent described as looking like "a barracks or detention centre" – centre around the increased traffic and pressure on services in the area.
Each two-bedroom home would come with two private parking spaces, meaning there could be an additional 60 vehicles requiring access to the site.
Prior to submitting the application for planning permission, the developers sought advice from the council's planning department on the nature of the proposal and its impact on the area.
In response, the council said: "The site is isolated in relation to basic day-to-day services… there would be a heavy reliance on private modes of transport such as a private motor car."
The application, however, insists the proposed homes respect "the character and appearance of the landscape", have access to public transport and amenities, and offer "adequate provision of access and parking arrangements".
Consultation on the plans runs until July 30, and it is hoped a decision will be reached by the planning committee by the end of September.
