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Plans have been unveiled to build 45 homes on a disused railway works in Faversham.
The long, thin stretch of redundant land - located at the junction of the old Faversham Creek branch line - already has permission to be turned into commercial space.
But Whitstable-based developer George Wilson has decided to scrap the approved plans for small business units and instead opt for a new housing project.
He is hoping to get the proposal, which has been submitted this week, rubber-stamped by Swale Borough Council.
The three-storey apartment blocks have been designed in Victorian and Edwardian style in an effort to stay in-keeping with the architecture of the town’s station.
The land in question is nestled between Beaumont Terrace on the left, and Eurocenter Business Park on the right, which is also owned by George Wilson.
Faversham Recreation Ground is immediately to the north of the old railway works. As part of the scheme, a pedestrian access route linking the rec with the railway station would be formed to shorten walking times.
Deemed surplus to requirements, the 2.4-acre site was disposed of by Network Rail having most recently being used as as a service and maintenance yard.
It is currently made up of hardstanding ground and old neglected buildings which will be torn down as part of the housing scheme.
In documents submitted with the application, planning agents OSG Architecture Limited explain the reasoning behind the switch from business use to housing.
“There has been a significant contraction in the market for commercial space over the last year, compounded by the uncertainty of Brexit, making the commercial development increasingly unviable,” the plans state.
“This is why we feel that the proposals we are putting forward are more suitable for this development.”
“The development of the site will result in a positive contribution to local housing need without any detriment to the character and appearance of the local area or to the amenity of the local residents.”
The apartments comprise 25 one-bed properties and 20 two-beds, with 54 parking spaces.
Developers stress how they believe the council should look favourably on the plans due to the fact the project is for a redundant brownfield site.
“We believe that taken as a whole the site is highly sustainable in terms of its brownfield nature, proximity to the town centre and local amenities and also its unobtrusive location,” they say.
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