Council Policy on Flats and Family Homes

On 16th December 2010 Council adopted two new planning policies to be used in the determination of planning applications. The policies are designed to restrict flats and encourage more family homes in Thanet.

The first policy states that, unless it can be justified, residential development in Thanet should be housing, as opposed to flats. The only exceptions to this should be when no acceptable design can be found for housing or if there are special reasons set out in the council’s existing planning policies.

The second policy is about retaining family homes and says that the loss of one or more properties used as homes for a single family will only be approved if it’s compatible with the area. Issues that will be taken into account include enough car parking and bin storage, the noise impact on neighbouring properties and the amount of space between buildings.

The full text of the two policies is as follows:

Policy DM 1          

Restriction on Development of Flats

Unless otherwise justified, residential development will consist of houses.  Development of flats will only be appropriate where: -

• special justification is provided having regard to the objectives of this Core Strategy and/or in light of any area-based renewal strategies consistent with it or where it would accord with the terms of a site development brief or a Local Development Document.

or

• there are overriding design or townscape reasons for allowing such development and no acceptable design solution can be found to accommodate houses.

Proposals to revert or convert properties currently used as flats to use as single family or single household accommodation will be permitted where a satisfactory standard of accommodation can be provided.

Policy DM 2                

Retention of Family Homes

Development resulting in the loss of one or more properties currently or last lawfully used as single family accommodation or by a single household, will be permitted only where the resultant intensity of occupation and form of development are considered compatible with existing residential amenity and the prevailing character of the locality.  In addition to normal planning considerations including design, such consideration will include:

• the impact upon the sense of spaciousness, openness and degree of separation between and around the building and within the site

• the ability to accommodate sufficient car parking and dustbin storage without creating significant amounts of hardstanding or other detrimental visual impact.

• the impact upon the amenity of nearby residential property in terms of noise and disturbance resulting from intensity of occupation.

These new policies take effect immediately. Further information can be found in the report to Council and can be viewed below

• Report to Council, 16 December 2010 (Agenda Item 13)

Any questions please contact local.plans@thanet.gov.uk  or telephone 01843 577591

E-mail: local.plans
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577591