Conservationists believe plans to open a microbrewery along a picturesque seafront stretch should be snubbed amid fears it would prevent them from maintaining nearby flood defences.

Whitstable Oyster Company launched a fresh bid to transform storage sheds currently in Reculver Lane, Herne Bay , into the beer haven last month.

Its initial proposals for the site were refused by Canterbury City Council officers in March, as they branded the scheme “unsustainable and harmful”.

And the local authority is being urged to do the same again by the Environment Agency, which believes the development would stop it from accessing a nearby sea wall.

In a letter sent to the city council, the organisation’s planning advisor, Sara Gomes, says: “We object to this application as it involves developing land right up to the landward side of our sea defence.

“The permanent retention of a continuous unobstructed area is an essential requirement for future maintenance and improvement work.”

She notes that the plans will also limit the agency’s ability to visit the tidal outfall nearby.

Whitstable Oyster Company’s original plans included proposals to access the site by using a road close to the seawall.

“This information has been omitted from the [latest] application,” Ms Gomes adds.

“We will continue to object to cars being driven on the top of the defence to access the proposed microbrewery.

“This will impact the structural integrity of the wall, as well as compromise its ability to protect against flooding and provide access.”

Papers show the firm – run by James Green – has abandoned its hopes of creating an outdoor seating area.

However, it still wants to hold tasting sessions at the premises, which are located 260m away from Reculver Towers, allowing visitors to sample freshly brewed beers.

Should the fresh bid be approved, Mr Green will move his microbrewery in Maidstone to the coastal site.

Responding to the Environment Agency’s concerns, Lee Evans Partnership, which helped to draw up the plans, said: “It objected to the access arrangements, although the site would make no changes to existing arrangements.

“The council are unable to support the application and object to it in principle, based on the location. Reculver councillor Rachel Carnac has called it in to the next available planning committee and will make representations to support it then.”

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