St Nicholas at Wade with Sarre Parish Council supporting our neighbours

Proposed Development of 1,650 New Homes in Birchington

The Thanet District Local Plan 2031, adopted by Thanet District Council (TDC) in July 2020, allocates land for up to 1,600 new homes to the south west of Birchington. Birchington Parish Council does not support this aspect of the Local Plan and does not accept that this many homes are sustainable or necessary to meet the future needs of Birchington.

However, the Council recognises that unless the Plan is changed it must seek to ensure that the development of these new homes is managed to minimise their impact on the village and surrounding areas.

A planning application for the new homes has been received by TDC and is now out for public consultation.

On Thursday 14th January 2021, Birchington Parish Council called an Extraordinary Meeting, to discuss the planning application and the Council’s response to the consultation, Birchington Councillors and residents expressed concern and dismay at the proposals.

It was agreed that Members of the Council and community representatives would work together, aiming to ensure the consultation was wide and well informed; encouraging as many people as possible to express their views during the consultation period.

Birchington Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Neville Hudson said, “We are not convinced that such large -scale development is justified, yet in the face of considerable opposition Thanet District Council has decided to locate up to 1,600 new homes here. If these proposals are implemented, they will have a far-reaching effect on the character and nature of the village long into the future”.

It is now our responsibility, all of us who live here, to make sure that whatever is built is compatible with the existing village, and that it does not have a detrimental effect on the character of the village and the wellbeing of our residents.

I hope that everyone who has an interest in these plans takes this opportunity to submit their views to TDC, to their District and County Councillors and to their MP.”

Consultation is expected to run until 19 February 2021; to view application and submit comments visit: www.thanet.gov.uk – Planning and Land - Search Planning Applications- OL/TH/20/1755 Direct link: https://planning.thanet.gov.uk/online-applications/application

We will be posting updates on our website: www.birchington-pc.gov.uk and on our Facebook page. Where you can also find details of how to contact your local Councillors and MP.

For further information, please contact, Denise Johnson, Parish Clerk – clerk@birchington-pc.gov.uk