Internal access roads at Little Cliffsend Farm, Ramsgate

What was proposed

The application sought part-retrospective permission for internal roads along the southern site boundary and a north-south track serving the paddocks.

“The proposal relates to the formation of an internal access road. The access road would run west to east from the bottom of the existing farm complex, along the southern perimeter of the site adjacent to the public footpath, and up behind Coastguard Cottages. It would also have a track running north to south from one of the existing tracks serving the paddocks.”

“The works are now mostly retrospective, with the access road largely in place and the final road coverings required to be placed along some parts.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site forms part of a farm among agricultural land, paddocks, farm and commercial buildings, a public footpath, the cliff edge and nearby homes.

“The Chalk Hill area comprises mainly agricultural land, with open fields to the north and south, paddocks to the southeast, and a farm complex to the southwest. Beyond this are the salt marshes and coastal areas. The site sits within the identified Wantsum North Slopes Landscape Character Area.”

“The proposal relates to the formation of an internal access road within the wider farm. Farm buildings and commercial buildings appear to be located to the east of the site, with paddocks and a sandschool across the middle and western parts of the farm complex. To the south is a public footpath and the cliff edge, and dwellings sit to the southeastern border of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered horse keeping, access routes, containers, agricultural land, industrial units and the conversion of surplus farm buildings.

“F/TH/23/0850 - Change of use of land from agricultural to the keeping of horses; formation of access routes for horses and agricultural vehicles, sand school, lunge, vehicle parking area and bunds. Granted 21/12/2023.”

“CON/TH/21/1574 - Application for approval of conditions 2 (Drainage) and 4 (Ecological Enhancements) of planning permission F/TH/20/0876 for the retrospective application for the change of use of agricultural land to land for the keeping of horses. Granted 01/12/2021.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Thirty-four objection letters raised concerns about unauthorised and retrospective works, countryside and wildlife loss, neighbours, the footpath, cliffs, traffic and future housing.

“Erection of banks of chalk across the site without permission and to screen works • Loss of arable fields over time • Previous applications have been turned down for subsidence • Where are the roads terminating as this could be hazardous to schools? • The works are retrospective and this is a repeat situation • The applicant has been blocking roads and building embankments • Housing should not be allowed on the site • Impact on the public footpath • Impact on the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Davis spoke under the council procedure rules, and the Planning Applications Manager outlined the application.

The committee vote

The committee agreed the motion to approve the application subject to the listed conditions, with seven votes for, two against and two abstentions.

“The Chair proposed and the Vice Chair seconded that the officer recommendation to approve be AGREED, subject to the following conditions:”

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

Minutes

Conditions of approval

Approval required compliance with the submitted drawings and a habitat management and monitoring plan linked to biodiversity gain.

“Within six months of the grant of planning permission, and with the submission of the required Biodiversity Gain Plan, a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (the HMMP), prepared in accordance with the Biodiversity Gain Plan, and based on the most up-to-date and/or relevant ecology surveys as determined by a suitably qualified ecologist, shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority and shall include:”

Minutes