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Plans lodged for 67-home estate on derelict Blacksole Farm in Herne Bay

By: Ruth Cassidy rcassidy@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 27 December 2022

The derelict remains of a 500-year-old farm are set to be flattened to make way for a 67-home development.

Plans have been formally submitted to build the properties at Blacksole Farm in Broomfield, near Herne Bay.

The historic farmhouse in Broomfield, near Herne Bay, has been steadily decaying over the last two decades
Kitewood wants to build dozens of new homes at Blacksole Farm in Herne Bay

The scheme forms the latest part of developer Kitewood Estates’ vision for the area, as it also prepares to lodge proposals to erect a drive-thru McDonald’s, B&M and Food Warehouse at nearby Altira Park.

The firm secured the green light from Canterbury City Council last week to demolish the buildings at the former farm, before lodging proposals for the housing estate in recent days.

“This scheme seeks to provide a positive contribution to the street along Margate Road as it approaches Herne Bay,” Kitewood states in planning documents.

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“It will make a significant contribution to the housing supply in the area.

"The result will be a high-quality residential development.”

How Kitewood expects the new homes at Blacksole Farm in Herne Bay to look
A picture taken by Kitewood inside the derelict farmhouse on the outskirts of Herne Bay

Records show Blacksole Farm dates as far back as 1529.

Kitewood has owned the site for several years, but it has fallen into a state of disrepair, having been regularly targeted by vandals and unruly youths.

Papers show its barn was gutted in a fire in August, while a report compiled by structural engineers from Mason Navarro Pledge says the old listed farmhouse is in "complete decay".

“The building has fallen into disrepair for almost two decades," the company stated.

"This has resulted in a complete decay.

Blacksole Farm in Herne Bay is said to be regularly targeted by vandals
Beltinge councillor Ian Stockley

“In our opinion, all building fabric, finishes, roof as well as the structure would require replacement as those areas are beyond reasonable repair.”

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Beltinge councillor Ian Stockley previously told KentOnline the structures had become magnets for vandals and squatters over the last 10 years.

"That area is an eyesore - it's in need of tidying up," the Conservative said.

"It’s one of those visions you see driving out of Herne Bay.

"A number of residents have complained to me repeatedly about it over the years.”

Three huge chains have signed up for the expansion at Altira Business Park on the outskirts of Herne Bay
A map showing Kitewood's vision for Altira Business Park and Blacksole Farm on the outskirts of Herne Bay

Kitewood hopes to construct 49 flats and 18 two- and three-bedroom houses in place of the dilapidated structures.

Thirty-one per cent of the properties on the estate, which will lie to the west of the existing Altira Park, will be categorised as "affordable".

The developer says the block of flats will be a "landmark" four-storey building.

However, the scheme has attracted objections from concerned residents.

One argued: "I’m concerned about the build-up of traffic this will cause coming out of the Talmead Estate and the traffic coming out of the Thanet Way.”

Meanwhile, another claimed "there is no requirement for more housing" in the area.

But Kitewood insists it does "not anticipate there will be any unacceptable highway impacts”.

Proposals to expand Altira have not yet been lodged with the city council.

However, the company revealed last month that the extension to the shopping complex will see the town gain its first branch of McDonald's.

Work on the new businesses is expected to create 90 construction jobs and more than 110 roles at the new firms.

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