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Top Boy star Ashley Walters’ extension bid for home near Herne Bay rejected by planning inspectorate

By: Millie Bowles mbowles@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 04:00, 04 April 2024

Updated: 13:09, 04 April 2024

Top Boy star Ashley Walters has had his latest bid to build an extension to his family home in Kent rejected on appeal.

The actor, who lives near Herne Bay, previously told KentOnline it was highly likely he would have to move house if his ambitions for the property continued to be thwarted.

Top Boy star Ashley Walters previously said he would have to move from his home near Herne Bay if he lost the planning battle

The “frustrated” 41-year-old, who plays drug kingpin Dushane in the hit Netflix drama, has already had two applications to extend his chalet bungalow snubbed by Canterbury City Council officials.

Now, the proposals have been turned down once again - this time by the planning inspectorate.

Inspector Stewart Glassar called the designs “strident, discordant and overpowering” as he explained his reasons for dismissing the appeal.

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Mr Walters wants to add a two-storey front extension and a single-storey rear extension, including a balcony, to the rear.

But following a visit to the house in January, the inspector said: “The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the dwelling and wider area.”

Ashley Walters during his Louis Theroux interview at his home near Herne Bay. Picture: BBC/Instagram
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He noted that some features proposed are “no doubt designed to minimise the size and scale of the works, and thus their visual effect”, but added “the result would nevertheless be a significantly larger building”.

“The principal and side elevations would have a much greater overall massing, that would noticeably contrast with the immediately neighbouring bungalows,” he wrote.

“Once extended, the building would have a strident, discordant and overpowering appearance.

“As a result, it would dominate and significantly harm this part of the street scene.”

Speaking to KentOnline at his house in December, Mr Walters said he wanted to extend his home as his two daughters are getting taller.

How Ashley Walters’ Herne Bay home could have looked if his appeal was accepted. Picture: South East Architectural Services Ltd

“It’s about making it slightly bigger in height because it's a bungalow conversion,” he explained.

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“The top floor is essentially in the roof, which means you're kind of ducking, and as the kids grow they'll be banging heads on the ceiling.

“So we are just trying to make that a bit higher.”

Walters said he was a “big fan” of the area and his children are settled in school - so he had no intentions to move his family back to London.

But he added: “It’s highly likely that if we can't get it the way we want to, we'll have to move out of this part of Kent.

160 homes are going to be built on land near Herne Bay opposite Ashley Walters' bungalow

“We would just have to find somewhere else locally that suits our needs.”

Walters also previously noted the city council approved plans for a housing estate on farmland opposite his home, despite objections from neighbours.

“It is frustrating knowing that the area is forever changing,” he added.

“There's a lot of properties being built up ​​across the road, which is going to change the street view for good anyway.”

However, Mr Glassar said: “The appellant highlights other extensions to dwellings that have been approved nearby and new houses which are being built in the vicinity of the appeal site.

“Whilst these provide useful context and information, I have considered the appeal proposal on its individual merits and concerning the specific circumstances of the site and its surrounds.”

On concluding the dismissal, he added: “The proposed development would have an unacceptable effect on the character and appearance of the area.

“The proposal would also be contrary to provisions within the National Planning Policy Framework which include requirements that development should add to the overall quality of an area and be sympathetic to local character.”

Mr Walters mentioned his planning battle in a Louis Theroux interview last year.

The former So Solid Crew member referred to a separate bid to add a swimming pool, cinema and gym in the garden - but this was not considered as part of the appeal.

*Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal

Mr Walters has been approached for comment.

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