Plans for 41 retirement flats in Ark Lane, Deal, have prompted an objection from the town council.

The planning committee met on Wednesday, July 6, to discuss the design for a three-storey building, including 41 apartments and 16 car parking spaces.

Issues with parking, the detrimental impact on wildlife if trees are felled, over-crowding of the area, no parking for staff, and a shortfall of 33 spaces were raised as concerns.

The committee passed a motion to object to the sheltered housing plans, described as an “over intensive development that would cause major parking issues”.

There were also concerns about the risk of flooding to ground floor bedrooms and the future risk to trees.

“There is a severe shortage of suitable new housing being built to meet the needs of older people in Deal." - Mr Burgess, Churchill Retirement

Susan Carlyle, of Ark Lane, thanked the council for rejecting the proposals, claiming the parking situation is “woefully inadequate”.

She said: “The developer Churchill Retirement is seeking planning permission which involves the cutting down of at least seven trees bordering the site that residents are alarmed about.

“There are no green spaces nearby and the mature greenery is much appreciated in a neighbourhood with few open spaces.

“In addition there will be enormous pressure on parking in the area that already experiences problems outside Sandown School and the Ark Lane and College Road area.

“Letters to the Mercury after our coverage last week highlighted problems with refuse collection in Cannon Street with trucks unable to enter the congested street.

“This new development has only 16 car spaces for 41 flats on the mistaken premise that older people do not use cars.

“There is also no provision for staff or visitor parking yet many residents will need services from health and social services.”

She added: “This complex is too high in density for this neighbourhood – taking away our trees and worsening poor road infrastructure.”

Mrs Carlyle plans to set up a petition in the next week.

Churchill Retirement Living’s planning director Andrew Burgess said: “Our proposals allow for more than adequate parking since very few of our owners will have cars given the sustainable urban location of the site just to the north of Deal town centre.

“Our scheme will also see a significant improvement in the ecology of the area.

“The development will bring significant benefits to the economy in Deal." - Churchill Retirement

“While it is regrettable a small number of low quality trees will be removed, the site will be professionally landscaped and will include an increase in trees.

“The site will therefore be a significant environmental improvement over and above the current cleared site.

“There is a severe shortage of suitable new housing being built to meet the needs of older people in Deal.

“Our proposed development will go some way to increasing access to this type of housing for residents, providing attractive, high quality, secure, self-contained apartments in landscaped grounds.

“As with all Churchill developments, owners will have the benefits of a lodge manager, 24-hour careline, owners’ lounge and guest suite.

“The development will bring significant benefits to the economy in Deal.

“Owners will be within walking distance of many amenities such as shops and restaurants, helping to boost the local economy.”

Anyone with objections has until Friday, July 29, to submit them to developmentcontrol@dover.gov.uk