Planning in Thanet

ONE BEDROOM FLATS

Proposals to provide single bedroom flatted accommodation, bed-sits and non self-contained accommodation (houses in multiple occupation) within the DPD Plan area will not be permitted. This includes provision by way of conversion of existing buildings and by way of new build.

RETENTION OF FAMILY HOUSING

Planning permission for the subdivision of properties, currently or last lawfully used as single-family accommodation, or by a single household, will not be permitted. • Single family or single household accommodation may relate to a property with two or more bedrooms but no maximum number is specified. • Policy CV2 will apply where the current or last lawful use of a property falls within Class C3 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended): CLASS C3: DWELLINGHOUSES Use as a dwellinghouse (whether or not as a sole or main residence) a) by a single person or by people living together as a family, or b) by not more than six residents living together as a single household (including a household where care is provided for residents).

PROVISION OF FAMILY HOUSING IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS

In new development or redevelopment flats of any size will not be permitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that there are overriding design or townscape reasons for allowing such development and that no acceptable design solution can be found to accommodate individual family dwellings. *For the purpose of this policy individual family dwellings are defined as houses/bungalows (excluding flats) with their own front door, a minimum of 2 bedrooms and with their own accessible and exclusive private amenity space at the rear of the property

PROVISION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION

Planning permission for new tourist accommodation will be granted if all of the following criteria can be met: • the new use would not cause significant detriment to the amenity of neighbouring properties through noise and disturbance; • the new use can accommodate the necessary parking requirement, without damage to the character of the local area, and without significantly reducing the availability of on-street parking to the detriment of existing residents; • front gardens will be retained, including soft landscaping to protect and enhance the street scene; • in considering applications for planning permission the council will consider the need to impose conditions or seek planning obligations to ensure that the property is available for short term use as tourist accommodation and is not used as a full time residence (other than by the owners, family and staff); • the proposal does not result in a loss of family homes (as defined under policy CV 2); • the proposal is well designed and will provide a high standard of tourist accommodation; • there is no negative impact on biodiversity arising from the development and, where necessary, biodiversity enhancements are integral to the proposal. • the proposal incorporates, where necessary, full and detailed mitigation measures to avoid and reduce disturbance to interest features of the internationally designated sites. Any planning permission would be subject to an occupancy condition, which will normally involve restricting occupation by one person or group of persons to a maximum continuous period of six weeks in any one year. In addition, the use of such premises for habitation will be limited to a maximum of 11 months in any one year. To facilitate the enforcement of such controls, applicants will be required to make available to the Council, upon request and without prior notice, the register of occupiers of the premises to which the permission relates.

CYCLE PARKING PROVISION

All proposals for new residential development will require the following minimum provision for cycle parking to be met: • Individual residential dwellings – 1 space per bedroom • Flats & Maisonettes – 1 space per unit • Sheltered Accommodation – 1 space per 5 units This may necessitate, and the Council will encourage and support, the demolition of existing rear extensions/outbuildings in order to meet these requirements. It is recognised that the provision of cycle storage facilities may result in fewer residential units being provided.

PARKING PROVISION FOR THE CONVERSION OF FORMER HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

In considering parking requirements for alternative use through conversion/redevelopment of former hotel accommodation, the amount of any existing notional parking standard that may be netted off such requirement will be based on the individual circumstances of each case. Criteria to be considered will include: • the length of time the building may have been unused as hotel accommodation • the level and duration of under occupancy as hotel accommodation • the level and availability of on-street parking within the immediate vicinity of the site