UPDATE: Urgent plans have been submitted to Swale Council to demolish the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Minster and replace it with six self-build semi-detached homes. This significant proposal has sparked community interest and concern, as the church has been a local landmark since it held its first mass on Easter Sunday, 1958.
Local authorities confirm that this application is among the latest lodged with the council, highlighting a wave of redevelopment in the area. The church’s demolition could pave the way for a new housing project that addresses the growing demand for residential properties in Minster.
Additionally, the Ferry House Inn in Harty Ferry on Sheppey has submitted two applications regarding its oak-framed wedding barn, seeking changes to conservation-style rooflights and external access. This move aims to enhance facilities and attract more events to the venue.
In other developments, Borden Grammar School is pushing forward with plans to replace fencing and gates at its Avenue of Remembrance site in Sittingbourne. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve security and aesthetics around the school.
Another notable application involves a new housing development at Great Grovehurst Farm in Grovehurst Road, near Sittingbourne. Developers are requesting amendments to a Section 106 agreement to adjust the affordable housing provision and manage public open spaces more effectively within the larger project.
Meanwhile, at the Meadow View Park holiday park in Irwin Road, Minster, an application has been made to convert a caravan into year-round staff accommodation, reflecting the need for consistent support in the hospitality sector.
The planning applications submitted this week also include:
– A proposed rear extension at 70 St Mary’s Road, Faversham, with plans for a part single-storey and part first-floor addition.
– External repair and redecoration plans for the Guildhall in Market Place, Faversham, seeking Listed Building Consent for color changes.
– Tree works requested at 2 Lords Cottages, Ashford Road, Sheldwich, involving re-pollarding two lime trees under a Tree Preservation Order.
– An archaeological investigation proposed for land at Wises Lane, Borden, under an existing hybrid planning permission.
– Changes to the rear fire-escape door at 101–107 High Street, Sittingbourne as part of a non-material amendment.
– A proposed archaeological watching brief for 20 London Road, Sittingbourne.
– Details on land contamination and landscaping for 3 Parsonage Oast, Painters Forstal Road, Ospringe.
– Plans for a new canopy and storage area at 104A High Street, Milton Regis, including a linked Listed Building Consent application.
– A conservatory conversion at 247 Queenborough Road, Halfway, to make it a habitable room with rooflights.
– Applications regarding land contamination at Queenborough Road on Sheppey.
These developments are currently awaiting decisions from the planning authority. Community members are encouraged to visit the Public Notice Portal for more details on the applications and to stay informed about the changes that could reshape their neighborhoods.
As the proposals unfold, the impact on local communities and the preservation of historical sites will be crucial to watch. This wave of applications signals a period of significant transformation in Minster and surrounding areas, with both opportunities and challenges ahead.
