13-bed HMO at Graywood Care Home, Margate

“Planning permission is sought for the change of use of the existing residential care home (Use Class C2) to a 13 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Use Class C4).”

“The proposal, therefore, seeks the continued residential use of the existing building, with the principal change being from institutional residential accommodation (Use Class C2) to shared residential (House of multiple occupation (HMO) accommodation (Use Class C4).”

“The application site relates to Graywood Care Home, 10 Northdown Avenue, Margate a substantial detached four storey (including roof accommodation) building situated in the southern side of Northdown Avenue at its junction with Arundel Road.”

“The property was formerly a 13 bedroom residential care home (Use Class C2), now vacant and occupies a generous plot with a forecourt providing off street parking on the front and a sizable private rear garden. The building has been extended over time, including a two storey rear addition and ancillary structures, but retains its established appearance as a large residential property. Access to the site is taken directly from Northdown Avenue.”

“F/TH/10/0961 Retrospective planning application for the erection of a shed in rear garden Granted 10 June 2011”

“F/TH/05/0737 Erection of two and single storey side and rear extension Refused 26 August 2005”

“Particular regard has been given to the concerns raised in relation to parking and highway safety. Following the submission of additional parking surveys, operational information and revised plans, KCC Highways has confirmed that it raises no objection to the proposal subject to conditions.”

“Accordingly the proposal is recommended for Members to defer and delegate to officers to grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the required SAMM contribution within six months of the Committee resolution.”

“The proposal would retain and re-use an existing residential building within the urban area and, whilst resulting in the loss of the existing care home use, would continue to provide residential accommodation and contribute towards meeting identified housing needs within the District. The loss of care home is not considered to trigger policy CM02 as it is not considered to be a community facility.”

“The proposal has been assessed against policy HO19 and is not considered to result in an unacceptable concentration of HMOs or materially harm the character of the area. The submitted layout would provide a satisfactory standard of accommodation for future occupiers, with appropriately sized bedrooms, shared kitchen, dining and living accommodation, adequate bathroom facilities and private outdoor space.”

“Thirteen representations have been received, with some people commenting more than once. The concerns raised can be summarised as follows:”

“Traffic issues • Erode sense of community resulting from high turnover of tenants • Increase noise and activity • Change in character • Insufficient waste disposal for use • Care home should be retained • Intensity of use • Inadequate amenity standards • Pressure of local infrastructure • Conflicts with Local Plan • Fire risk • Over concentration of use • Poor living standards of future occupants • Overlooking • Lack of management plan…”

“The Chair proposed and the Vice Chair seconded that the officer recommendation to defer and delegate the application to officers for approval be AGREED, subject to the submission of a legal agreement containing the financial contributions and obligations and the safeguarding conditions set out, in Annex 1.”

“The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted drawings numbered Proposed block plan H-0474 Rev V7 (received 28/09/26), Existing and Proposed sections H-0474 V7 (received 28/09/26), Proposed plans H-0474 Rev V7 (received 28/09/26), Proposed plans 1 H-0474 V7 (received 28/09/26)…”

“When put to the vote the motion was AGREED.”

“Voting Result For Against Abstention Cllr Crittenden Cllr Garner Cllr Makinson Cllr Wing Cllr Albon Cllr Boyd Cllr Matterface Cllr Moore Cllr Packman Cllr Rattigan Cllr Rusiecki Cllr Wright…”