There has been much discussion about the Folkestone Harbour and Seafront development. The developers are currently undertaking a pre-planning consultation on their proposed designs and are expected to submit a detailed planning application later in the year. Residents understandably want to have their voices heard.
If you have visited the developer’s website, you may have seen detailed visualisations of the proposed plans and hopefully you have left your comments. Once the detailed planning application is formally submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council, local residents will have the opportunity to make comments on the planning application proper.
Having gained control of the council in May, our Green councillors know they have a duty to listen to residents’ comments and concerns about the proposed development. Those who sit on the Planning Committee, in particular, have a huge responsibility to make decisions on planning applications in the best interests of our community.
However, it is important to point out that the outline planning application for this development was approved by a Conservative-led council in July 2013 – and the site was allocated for development in the 2013 Local Plan. Planning permission was formally granted in 2015 (planning application ref. 12/0897/SH). In 2017, the developers submitted a further application, a ‘Section 73’ that sought to amend the original approved permission and this was approved in 2018 (planning application ref. Y17/1099/SH).
These applications – approved under a Conservative council – essentially define certain parameters that are acceptable in the future development of the site. These include factors such as the maximum number of dwellings allowed and the maximum building height.
This greatly constrains what can be challenged in the detailed planning application expected later this year. However, members of the Planning Committee will still provide a strong voice for residents by deliberating on material planning considerations such as the appearance of the buildings.
It is very important to point out that councillors who sit on the Planning Committee must not ‘pre-determine’ themselves before a vote on a planning application. This means that if they are seen to be campaigning or commenting in a way that shows they have already made up their minds, they will not be allowed to vote on the application.
The most effective way to have your voice heard, once the detailed planning application is submitted to the council, is to comment on the application directly.
We will provide information on how to do so when it is live.
