Plans submitted for new café alongside Sandown Castle Community Garden in Deal
Published: 14:00, 13 July 2024
Updated: 11:38, 15 July 2024
A new café is planned to be built next to a historic castle garden overlooking the sea.
An application has been submitted to create the modern one-storey kiosk alongside Sandown Castle Community Garden in Sandown Road, Deal.
Having been demolished 1863, all that remains of the castle – originally built by Henry VIII – is ruins. But a garden has been created around its old walls and is now a popular walking spot.
If approved, the new café would replace a previous building which was removed after falling into disrepair.
The design and heritage statement says: “The proposal provides for the development of a small modern café building which will be located in a similar location to the former kiosk.
“The roof line has been kept low so as to ensure there is no loss of view or amenity to the adjacent dwellings opposite the site.
“The land is currently grassed and could be described as coastal amenity land for the enjoyment of the public.”
The development, covering 23 sq m of floorspace, would create three part-time jobs.
The original kiosk had been removed after falling into disrepair and the area is now maintained by the Sandown Castle Community Garden group.
The applicant is listed as Peter Wilson and the agents are The ONE Architecture, of Tilmanstone.
Residents, including dog walkers, have thrown their support behind the application.
Writing on Dover District Council’s planning portal, Coln Hutchens said: “It would be of considerable benefit to have a proper café at the north end of Deal which currently lacks such facilities, especially as the Sandown Castle Community Gardens are such an attractive feature.
“In addition to providing jobs, the café should provide benefits to the local economy.”
Elly Marshall said: “As a frequent dog walker of this area, I think it'll be great to have an all-weather facility to use.
“The volunteers do an incredible job of the gardens and I think a new café would complement the tourist attraction.”
Sandown Castle is now a historic ruin.
It is one of the three castles, along with Deal and Walmer, built by order of Henry VIII to guard the sea off Deal.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
The castle had sea damage in 1785.
It was remodelled in 1805 and manned to prepare for possible invasion by Napoleon’s forces from France. It was eventually demolished in 1863.
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