Green campus buildings at Royal Harbour Approach, Ramsgate

“This application seeks planning permission for the erection of three buildings for the purposes of training, education, community and business use, along with the provision of an additional substation, access, and landscaping works. The Design and Access states (D&A) submitted sets out the aspiration that ".... as a business incubator, the scheme aim[s] to foster future growth and generate long term economic opportunities for the local community".”

“The proposed buildings are broken down into Blocks A, B, and C. Blocks A and B are proposed to be workshops and offer general industrial spaces, and Block C is proposed to have a more flexible use as an office building with flexible shared working space, conference rooms for training and development, and flexible community uses. It is proposed that the development is phased, with phase one concentrating on Blocks A and C, and phase two on Block B.”

“The application site is a roughly rectangular parcel of land on the northwestern side of the Port of Ramsgate. It is a hard surfaced area formerly used for the storage of caravans. The site is enclosed by high palisade fencing along its frontage and the eastern boundary, and a small substation sits along the front boundary, forming part of it. It is open to the western side and rear but not publicly accessible, with access restricted via the former terminal building.”

“The site lies in close proximity to the Ramsgate Conservation area to the north, where there is a large change in gradient and chalk cliffs separate the site from the residential and public open spaces above, including Government Acre. A number of Grade I and II listed buildings exist on the upper clifftops, including the collection of buildings associated with St Augustine's Abbey and The Grange, and residential development further east.”

“F/TH/24/1154 - Erection of 2no two storey building and 1no three storey building for the use of workshops, training and conference rooms, and cafe together with installation of air source heat pumps and solar panels, and the provision of landscaping and parking.”

“Overall the works proposed are not considered to be in strict accordance with Policy SP11 of the Thanet Local Plan, however the scheme would support the overall port related policies of the Plan, generate employment and other economic opportunities, and be likely to provide wider benefits.”

“The works would be located away from residential properties, and suitable conditions surrounding the use class and operations of the site, time limits for conference activities and community events, restrictions on music, and careful works surrounding biodiversity and local wildlife, along with a robust CEMP would all mitigate the possibility of harm occurring here. As a result, the works are considered appropriate and it is recommended that planning permission be granted.”

“Letters were sent to neighbouring property occupiers, a site notice posted close to the site and an advert was posted in the local paper. No representations have been received. Ramsgate Town Council: No comments received.”

“Ramsgate Heritage and Design Forum: Background: The scheme previously had an exciting LUF proposal from Jan Kattein Architects.”

“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.”

“4 No building on any phase (or within an agreed implementation schedule) of the development hereby permitted shall be occupied until a Verification Report, pertaining to the surface water drainage system and prepared by a suitably competent person, has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The Report shall demonstrate that the drainage system constructed is consistent with that which was approved.”

“5 If, during development, significant contamination is suspected or found to be present at the site, then works shall cease, and this contamination shall be fully assessed and an appropriate remediation scheme agreed with the Local Planning Authority.”