Retirement Homes - View Rd, Cliffe Woods
After the refusal of the Planning Application details, a further outline application was submitted for 9 detached properties on the site instead. There was consultation with statutory bodies - especially regarding the impact on the adjacent SSSI (Chattenden Woods) and the applicant has withdrawn the application. But now the applicant has submitted a new application for the 50 retirement homes (MC/22/1713), To overcome concerns about the 'barrack style' proposal earlier, the proposal now includes 2.5 Storey blocks instead!. This is not suitable for a development on the village boundary, but looks like this submission follows the recommendation of approval on the Esquire development of 68 properties to the South and West of this development (MC/21/1694)
The Planning application has been considered by the Medway Council Planning Committee and supported the officer's recommendation of REFUSAL. (see report below). The applicant was taken this to a Planning Appeal, so this might not be the end of the process, although it is hoped the emerging Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Neighbourhood Plan will help stress the importance of the village boundaries and their special design needs.
The Planning Inspector has rejected the appeal by the developer of the 50 retirement homes, but an alternate application has been submitted
The principle of residential development has been agreed, on appeal, at the outline stage of the 50 retirement homes, so design issues remain to be approved.
05/12/2019) The full application has now been submitted -
MC/19/2836 Land South of View Road Cliffe Woods Rochester Kent
Application for approval of reserved matters being appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to planning permission MC/16/3742 (Allowed under appeal reference APP/A2280/W/18/3202264) - for construction of 50 retirement homes comprising a 2/3 storey block of apartments and single storey bungalows with ancillary meeting room, gymnasium, office, parking and garaging (THE FULL APPLICATION)
The Parish Council will review the detail before submitting a formal response.
(20/08/2019) Members of the Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group met with the developer today. The plan is to submit a Full Planning Application in mid-late September and if approved the development would be in three phases over period of about three years. The development is for 50 leasehold retirement homes with an on-site gym and club house with possible, controlled, access for local residents as well. The proposal includes some one and two bedroom units and apartment blocks (all one or two storey with some having accommodation in the roof space). There were detailed discussions about many of the operational issues, especially around the number of on-site car parking spaces that seem to exceed the Medway Council Planning Guidelines but may still be an issue in its village location. Construction vehicles would be on-site rather than in View Road, once the site is established.
(02/01/2019) The decision of the Planning Inspector has been received by the Parish Council - he has agreed to uphold the appeal and grant OUTLINE permission for the development. The decision notice is below. Yellow lines have been painted on the bend of View Road, but a detailed planning application is still awaited.
(17/09/2018) The applicant and Medway Council have agreed to decide the planning appeal on the basis of written representations not a public inquiry - the representations of everybody who wrote in to raise their comments on the planning application will be passed to the Planning Inspector. The case for and against the appeal will be in an exchange of correspondence. Any further representations need to be with the planning inspector by 12th October 2018.
Online at https://acp/planninginspectorate.gov.uk or by letter to the
Planning Inspectorate, 3B Eagle, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN Quote the appeals reference APP/A2280/W/18/3202264
You can modify or withdraw any previous representation. The appeal documents will be on Medway Council's Planning Web Site under MC/16/3742
(30/05/18) The applicant has raised an objection against the refusal of Medway's Planning Committee. It is now with the Planning Inspectorate to make arrangements for the appeal. We will keep you informed.
(17/10/17) The application was on the Agenda for the Medway Planning Committee on the 25th October. The part of the report to councillors at that meeting is available below - the officer's recommendation is Approval, but Members agreed to refuse it. Mitigation for impact in the SSSI appears to be a 'No Pets' rule. There are no highways issues raised and the officer appears to accept below standard parking (along with a number of other issues) on the basis that it is 'elderly accommodation' - although at 55+ there could be people in employment, people walking to the doctors/shops and using the buses etc.
(10/10/16) The Parish Council, as statutory consultees on the outline application MC/16/3742 Land South of View Road have submitted their reviews to Medway Council's Planning Department.
The council objects to the application as submitted and has a number of issues with, and concerns about the potential impacts of the proposal for 50 retirement homes (and ancillary facilities).
The application is also premature as the Medway Local Plan and Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Neighbourhood Plan are currently in preparation (see submission below)
(28/9/16) A packed Public meeting was held to hear resident's views - 6pm Friday 7th October in the Cliffe Woods Community Centre, Parkside, Cliffe Woods ME3 8HX.
(14/9/16) Details of application now online
(13/9/16) A letter has been received from Medway Council registering the Outline Planning Applcation - MC/16/3742 Land South of View Road, Cliffe Woods
Outline application with some matters reserved (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for the construction of 50 retirement homes comprising a mix of 2/3 storey apartments and single storey bungalows with ancillary meeting room, gymnasium, office, parking and garaging with new vehicular access to View Road
Details of the application are likely to be available from 15th September.
(8/9/16) A letter has been received through the post (8th September 2016) giving notice of an Outline Planning Application :
Erection of 50 retirement homes comprising a mix of 2/3 storey apartments and single storey bungalows, with ancillary meeting room, gymnasium, office, parking and garaging, to meet a need within the communities of Cliffe, Cliffe Woods, Cooling and Frindsbury. New access to View Road.
This is being processed by Medway Council and was refused by the planning committee. The owner/developer has exercised the right to appeal against this decision, no appeal details are available at the moment.
The site is on the bend of View Road, opposite the Nursery, where there are no properties, This is outside the village boundary as defined in the Medway Local Plan 2003.
