Residents' anger as glamping cabin approved for Rosebery Avenue in Ramsgate despite parking nightmare fears
14:00, 05 March 2023
A group of residents have spoken of their anger after plans for a glamping cabin in their street were approved, despite fears they will cause a “parking nightmare”.
The proposals for a timber structure designed to be a “restful oasis of calm” for writers and illustrators in Rosebery Avenue, Ramsgate, were given the go-ahead by the council on February 15.
However, some living in the busy residential street have described the development as “a recipe for disaster” and say it could “put lives at risk”.
Andy Doody lives opposite the site earmarked for the cabin and is “angry and disappointed” at the council’s decision.
He told the Extra: “Parking is already an absolute nightmare down here.
“I’m opposite the access track, and I have an enforced disabled bay.
“My car has been hit three times whilst parked in the past and when I’ve needed an ambulance, they had to park all the way at the bottom of the road because there were no spaces.”
Rosebery Avenue is a fairly narrow road with parking on both sides.
The patch of land set for development is behind one home, and is accessed by a “dirt track” which Mr Doody insists is not wide enough for anything bigger than a small to medium-sized car.
The 59-year-old said: “The practicality of turning in and out of that little access track is nuts - it’s absolutely crackers.
“It’s at a 90-degree angle to the road which always has parked cars and vans.
“They won’t be able to actually get in or out of it.”
The applicant for the hut owns children’s bookshop Tales on Moon Lane in Addington Street, Ramsgate, and aims to “grow the business by offering a writer’s retreat for authors and illustrators”.
Developers say: “Such a facility would be welcome to writers, illustrators and perhaps artists seeking a short break away from the city so that they could concentrate on their work whilst enjoying the benefits of a seaside location.”
However, retiree Mr Doody asks: “Why would a writer want to be in a glamping shed that’s adjacent to other people’s houses, and a football field that’s used a lot?
“It’s not scenic there, there’s no views, it’s not going to be a relaxing place to write or paint; it’s a living, working, residential road.”
“I don’t want to worry about who’s coming into our street,” Mr Doody added.
Other residents have also expressed their opposition to the plan, with a petition against it gaining 64 signatures.
Neighbour Layla-Noble Scott said: “Because of our property being one house away, we have a clear view of this land and vice versa. Therefore our privacy will be directly affected.”
“Refuse trucks also have great difficulty getting down the road, as do emergency service vehicles - any additional parking for retreat guests will only add to the problem.”
Another resident, Joanne Slade, added: “Rosebery Avenue is very bad for parking at all times and the access to this piece of land is limited as there is parking on both side of Rosebery Avenue and tThe road itself is very narrow, meaning any parking or manoeuvring is not easy.
“Damage to parked cars happens regularly.
“Emergency services have difficulty getting up Rosebery Avenue as it is with the number of vehicles and congestion, so any further addition may put lives at risk.”
In approving the application, planning officers stated the new holiday let was “unlikely to generate a significant demand for additional on street parking to cause congestion on the highway”.
They also deemed it “would not result in harm to the character and appearance of the area”.
Mr Doody added that he and other residents are “disappointed” by the decision, and “don’t know what to do next”.