Walpole Bay – Beach facilities planning application approved

Plans to provide new facilities at Walpole Bay in Cliftonville moved a step closer to fruition on Wednesday 17 December. This follows approval from Thanet District Council’s planning committee, subject to certain conditions.

The planning application is for a small two storey café, single storey community building, accessible toilets and outdoor cold water showers to be built at Hodges Gap. 

The plans were initially presented to the Planning Committee in November. At that meeting Councillors deferred the decision in order to conduct a site visit on Friday 5 December. Visiting the site helped to provide spatial context and a better understanding of how vehicle access would be managed and maintained for the existing business based at neighbouring Palm Bay. 

At the meeting on Wednesday 17 December, Councillors on the Planning Committee voted in favour of the recommendation that the application be delegated to officers for approval. The Decision Notice will be issued once the transfer of a proportionate Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS) contribution has been made to the planning department, and will include certain conditions. 

The SAMMS contribution was calculated at £10,083 and will need to be transferred ahead of approval. SAMMS contributions at Thanet District Council are mandatory payments from new developments. The payments offset recreational impact on the Thanet Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, funding wardens (including Bird Wise), education, and habitat monitoring to protect sensitive species from increased human pressure. Alongside the SAMMS contribution are a series of conditions to mitigate impact on birds and other wildlife during construction and operation of the new facilities.

Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth at Thanet District Council, said: “I am delighted that the Planning Committee has approved these much-needed facilities for Walpole Bay. By delivering a new café, community space, and accessible toilets, we are enhancing the experience for locals and visitors alike while respecting the unique character of Hodges Gap. This development is a fabulous investment in our coastline that balances modern amenities with the preservation of our natural environment.”

A number of comments were submitted through the planning portal, with many in support of the new café and facilities. The objective is to create business opportunities and provide important amenities that will be accessible to all following with the restoration of the cliff lift. 

The project is designed to respect the environment, encourage new activities that help to improve local residents’ health and wellbeing, and support the bay’s growing number of visitors. 

FAQs covering the plans and key considerations for the development in more detail; including ecology, flood risk, traffic management, and access can be found on the website.

Notes

The planning application (F/TH/25/0927) is on thanet.gov.uk.