Controversial plans to breathe life into a site that has remained empty since arsonists wrecked three businesses have been snubbed.

Developer Jason Shave had wanted to build 10 flats and four new commercial units at the Upper Brents Industrial Estate in Faversham – filling a plot that has been vacant since a large fire in 2002.

The proposals had divided opinion, with 20 residents voicing their support for the scheme and the jobs it would create – while 10 others feared the four-storey block would tower over surrounding properties.

But it has now been revealed that Swale Borough Council officers have decided to refuse the project, arguing it would be too bulky and lead to the “overdevelopment of the site”.

They wrote: “We consider that the negative points would outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

“The site location partly within and adjacent to the conservation area has not been thoroughly or effectively considered.

“This results in a scheme that does not meet the threshold to preserve or enhance this fragile and diverse conservation area.

“As there are limited public benefits from this proposal which could balance the visual harm to the setting and views of the conservation area...we consider any approval would not be justified from conservation and design perspectives.”

The units hit by the fire 19 years ago were later demolished and the site has been the subject of a number of planning applications since.

Papers submitted to the council by Mr Shave stated that the units – which were earmarked for industrial purposes – would have created new jobs and more floorspace than the gutted structures.

A four-storey building erected close to the commercial units was set to contain the six two-bed and four one-bed flats, which will be accessed in Waterside Close.

The developer’s documents read: “This is an opportunity to secure and help deliver the replacement commercial floorspace that was lost as a result of the fire in 2002.

“The site has remained devoid of active employment floorspace for 19 years.

“It will as well provide residential development that would enable and make viable the rebuilding of the commercial units and the general upgrading of the wider site.”

Mr Shave had a similar bid to build nine houses and six commercial units snubbed in 2018.

The arson attack in June 2002 raged for more than seven hours. No one was hurt.

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