Plans to turn a dilapidated water pumping station deemed “dangerous and structurally unstable” into a new home have been given the green light.

The scheme, submitted by architect Guy Hollaway, will see the transformation of an 80-year-old decommissioned pumphouse in Blue House Lane, just off the A20 in Saltwood, near Hythe.

Three disused buildings, previously owned by Affinity Water, will be bulldozed to make way for the project, however parts of the water pumping station will be kept and used in the new house.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) approved the plans earlier this month.

The planning officer's report stated: “The proposal would see the re-use of a redundant rural building and site while also making a modest contribution towards housing figures in the district and self-build targets.

“It would also result in an energy-efficient building, with enhanced planting and landscaping around the site, which would increase biodiversity while also mitigating the visual impact of the additional built form.”

While two of the structures remain from the original pumping station, which dates back to the early 1940s, the third was built more recently to house a telecommunications repeater station, which receives a signal and transmits it to a wider area.

The buildings have large cracks in the brickwork, but the station is considered a non-designated heritage asset because it has been part of the landscape for more than 80 years.

Non-designated heritage assets have a degree of heritage significance, which merits consideration in planning decisions, but not to the same level as designated heritage assets.

The scheme will feature four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and views over the surrounding countryside.

Spaces for two cars, as well as cycle and bin storage, will also be provided.

The plans also include energy-efficient measures, such as an air-source heat pump, rainwater collection, and solar panels.

One comment objecting to the scheme was lodged on FHDC’s planning portal.

Brian Morgan stated: “The erection of a building on a raised plinth on this site will introduce a building of a mass and scale which will be visually intrusive and will not enhance the local landscape of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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“It’s a rural building site in the countryside that cannot be converted without significant demolition and alteration and is therefore contrary to planning policy.

“The construction of a large dwelling on this site cannot be justified by the retention of one small building of very limited historic value.”

Hollaway Studio was approached for comment by KentOnline.