The former site of a family-run garage, which had been in a town for 53 years, is set to be replaced by a row of terraced houses.

BD Motors began in January 1971 nestled among residential properties in Essex Street, Whitstable.

However, after the retirement of owner Alf Reed, who ran the site for decades, the highly rated car workshop closed its doors for the final time in March, with the business’s lease not being renewed.

Now, Canterbury City Council (CCC) has green-lighted plans to transform the site into five two-bedroom homes after demolishing the existing garage.

The scheme originally submitted in January earmarked the 563sq m site for four homes - three two-bedroom terraces and a three-bedroom coach house - with six parking spaces at the rear.

But those proposals were revised in April with the parking spaces removed and an extra home added to the development.

The planning officer's report stated: “The application lies within the urban area of Whitstable and is considered a sustainable location close to multiple public transport facilities.

“The proposal will result in a general improvement to the surrounding properties’ amenities by the removal of commercial buildings and activity in an area which is now predominantly residential.

“The local plan requires new developments to have regard for the character and context of the application site through high quality, sustainable and inclusive design which reinforces and positively contributes to its local context.

“The erection of five dwellings in this location would continue the street frontage along Essex Street, which is characterised by tight-knit terraced houses.

“No unacceptable overbearing impact, loss of privacy, overlooking, overshadowing or sense of enclosure should occur.

“Given the sufficient separation between the dwelling's rear elevations and the terraced houses towards Kent Street, no loss of privacy or overlooking for their private gardens shall occur.

“Based upon the assessment above, the proposed development complies with the relevant policies of the adopted local plan.”

One objection was raised to CCC’s planning portal regarding noise and disturbance to neighbours during construction.

However, officers considered this acceptable due to the small scale of the development and the temporary nature of the work.

Regarding a lack of dedicated parking for the homes, CCC’s officer assessed this as being acceptable given the development’s “proximity to the town centre of Whitstable, along with the surrounding terraced properties exhibiting on-street parking only”.

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The property first came under the stewardship of Mr Reed and his former business partner Malcolm Tims in 1971, filling the gap left by fizzy drink manufacturer Star Minerals, which departed in 1969.

Mr Tims left BD Motors more than 20 years ago, with Adrian Shoosmith taking his place.

Mr Shoosmith inquired about keeping the business alive in new premises either in Whitstable or Herne Bay.

But the 56-year-old told KentOnline that a lack of availability and high rents made this impossible.

The news of BD Motors’ departure came just weeks after Harbour Garage in Whitstable shut up shop.