Plans have been submitted to convert Berkeley House, the former care home in Lynsted Lane, into ten residential units on the site – including the erection of one new dwelling.  The plans can be viewed on the Swale Planning Portal.  Search under reference:  23/503880/FULL. 

Click HERE for the proposed site layout plan.

The Parish Council reviewed this application at its monthly meeting on 30 October and has submitted the response below to Swale’s planning department.

“In principle, Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council does not object to this application and we fully support the development of brownfield sites such as this.

“However, an impediment to our support is the number of parking bays for residents and visitors.

“Firstly, there is a lack of clarity on the number of spaces to be provided.  The application form claims 23 spaces, yet on the site layout plan there appear to be only 19.

“Lynsted Primary School is literally yards from this site.  It is on a dangerous blind bend with no footpath for access to and from the school.  Lynsted Lane and the adjacent layby are congested at school run times and there is already concern regarding the risk of accidents and injury to young schoolchildren.

“It is essential that sufficient parking is provided within the site boundary to prevent any overspill onto Lynsted Lane, in the interests of highway safety.  Our view is that more parking spaces need to be allocated.

“Another concern is the proposal to erect Cottage 1.  We are aware of the covenant that restricts the owner of Berkeley House from extending or building upon or above the garage block (now demolished) any dwelling or other building with windows in the rear or flank walls which overlook the neighbouring Holly House.  Whilst we note that the right flank elevation of Cottage 1 is shown in the plans as having no windows, it is very close to the site boundary and as a new two-storey dwelling is likely to cause loss of light and overshadowing to the owners of Holly House. 

“One simple solution to the above two issues would be to not build Cottage 1 and to utilise that area for additional parking.

“In summary, the Parish Council would support this application were the above amendment to be made”.