Seven custom-build homes at Elite Wash Centre, Sandwich Road, Hacklinge

“The application site relates to a car wash facility to the east of the A258 (Sandwich Road) and is approximately halfway between Deal and Sandwich. The site is rural in character with sporadic development including some residential properties. This is shown in Figure 1.”

“The proposal is for Outline Permission for 7 dwellings which would be in a linear pattern as shown on Figure 2. The dwellings would be positioned to the rear (northeast) of the existing bungalow on the site (with the new access to the southeast of this property).”

“The application site is approximately 1.8 kilometres from the edge of Sholden which contains all the necessary facilities conducive to day to day living. Policy SP4 sets out that minor residential development or infilling of a scale that is commensurate with that of the existing settlement will be permitted within or adjoining the settlement boundaries.”

“The site lies within Flood Risk Zone 3a and is therefore at the highest risk of flooding. The National Planning Policy Framework advises that development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk.”

“RESOLVED: (a) That Application No DOV/24/01420 be REFUSED on the following grounds:”

“(b) That powers be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to settle any reasons for refusal in line with the issues set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”

“(ii) The submitted Flood Risk Assessment does not comply with the requirements for site specific flood risk assessments as set out in paragraphs 20 and 21 of the Flood Risk and Coastal Change planning practice guidance and its site-specific flood risk assessment and checklist, and Policy CC5 of the Local Plan.”

“(iii) Insufficient information has been submitted to allow a full assessment of the implications of the development on the ecological and nature conservation value of the immediate area and surrounding European Protected Sites. In the absence of this information, the proposal has failed to demonstrate that it would not be harmful to matters of ecological importance contrary to Policies NE3, SP13 and SP14.”