Osteopathic teaching clinic at Rock House Hotel, Maidstone

The site and surroundings

The site is a former 15-bedroom hotel in an urban, mainly residential area, close to Maidstone West station and neighbouring education premises.

“The site is in Maidstone urban area. The site on the north side of Tonbridge Road and to the east of Bower Mount Lane. The site is a 10 minute walk from Maidstone West Railway Station. The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character though with some commercial/community uses nearby. The site is in the London Road Character Area.”

“The current application is from the European School of Osteopathy who also occupy the neighbouring building to the west at 104 Tonbridge Road. The training use for which retrospective permission is sought is in association with this existing neighbouring building. A large car park on the neighbouring site separates the two buildings.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier proposal to create five flats was refused because some proposed rooms would have had inadequate outlook or natural light.

“- “...fail to provide an adequate standard of living accommodation and amenity for future occupiers of the ground floor flats due to the limited outlook and limited natural light”.”

“- “No windows would be provided in the proposed bedroom and dining room of flat 1 which are both habitable spaces and the windows located on the ground floor of the east side elevation would not provide an adequate outlook or natural light to the habitable spaces of flat 2”.”

Officer report

Consultation and local views

Environmental Health raised no objection, highways involvement was below the relevant threshold, and no resident representations were received.

“Local residents: No representations received…”

“Kent Highways: Does not meet threshold criteria for KCC Highways involvement.”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

Councillor Harper, as visiting member, and the applicant’s agent addressed the meeting.

The committee decision

Permission was granted unanimously, subject to conditions amended to improve the frontage, side boundary coping and swift nesting provision.

“That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report with:”

“The amendment of condition 4(a) (Site Development Scheme) to require the replacement of existing coping on the side boundary wall with ragstone coping; and…”

Minutes