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Town centre flats approved for Tontine Street and St Michael's Street, Folkestone
11:23, 02 November 2020
updated: 12:47, 02 November 2020
A piece of vacant land, described as a 'scar on Folkestone', will be transformed with 45 new town centre homes.
The flats are destined for an undeveloped site which faces both St Michael's Street and Tontine Street and is close to the new urban skate park, F51, which is currently under construction.
The new build will be part five-storey, fronting Tontine Street, and part three-storey, fronting St Michael's Street.
Artist impressions from architects, On Architecture, show the buildings will be white with some green, grey and yellow features.
Since it was first submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), the scheme has been amended - reducing the number of flats from 50 to 45, and reducing its highest level from six-storeys to five.
The apartments will consist of eight studio, 35 one-bed and six two-bed apartments.
Parking for 25 cars will be on the ground floor, which will also include cycle spaces, refuse area and a post room, and a communal garden will sit in the centre of the site.
No affordable homes are proposed but off-site contributions are agreed from the developer, HRS Construction Service (Kent) Ltd.
Objections from neighbours included concerns over lack of parking, its 'unacceptable' size and height, increase in traffic, loss of daylight, lack of affordable housing and more.
Councillors on FHDC's planning committee also had mixed reaction to the plans, which were discussed at its latest virtual planning meeting.
Cllr Philip Martin (Con) said he was 'really excited' about the scheme, adding that the land had been vacant for 30 to 40 years and called the development a 'golden opportunity' to make a 'big improvement'.
Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab), however, called the development 'too intensive', 'too high' and said it would affect the light of other residents.
She also raised issues over parking.
Cllr Jim Martin (Green) said: "This is one site crying out to be developed because it is a scar on that part of Folkestone."
He objected to the 'mix' of proposed flats, and said studio apartment never 'make successful, sustainable accommodation'.
Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) said the scheme would 'make use of a dreadful site'.
The application was approved with six votes in support and four against.
