The Canterbury City Council Planning Committee met on 16 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications and note recent planning appeal decisions. Councillors approved applications for extensions and alterations to properties in Highstead, Whitstable, Canterbury, and Sturry, as well as the subdivision of a dwelling in Chislet. However, they refused an application for the erection of a padel court enclosure at the King's School Recreation Centre.

Kings School Recreation Centre Padel Court Enclosure

The committee refused planning permission for the erection of a padel court enclosure at King's School Recreation Centre, St Stephens Road, Canterbury. Councillors Dane Buckman and Councillor Pat Edwards declared that they were members of the centre, and Councillor Dane Buckman left the room for the debate and vote. Councillor David Thomas had received photographs from residents about the application in advance of the meeting.

The planning officer, Ashley Kynes, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Several local residents spoke in objection to the proposal, before Alister Hume, the agent for the application, spoke in favour.

After discussion, a proposal was put forward to grant planning permission with an additional informative to encourage the retention of trees on the boundaries of plot 3. This proposal was voted down.

A second proposal was put forward to refuse the application on the grounds of:

• The impact of the development on the outlook of neighbouring property occupiers due to its size and proximity, and its overbearing impact, which would be harmful to the living conditions of neighbouring properties.
• The scale and massing of the development, which would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the adjacent conservation area.

This proposal to refuse the application was then approved, with 11 councillors voting in favour.

Little Acre, Highstead, Chislet Extension

The committee approved planning permission for a two-storey front and side extension, a single-story rear extension, an increase in roof height, the addition of a chimney, and external material changes at Little Acre, Highstead, Chislet.

Ashley Kynes, the planning officer, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Ward Councillor Rachel Carnac spoke on the item.

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the development, with the addition of a drawing to condition 2 showing the extension to be built on pad foundations to protect the tree roots of the nearby walnut tree.

Flat 5 Truscott House, Queens Road, Whitstable Outbuilding

The committee approved planning permission for a retrospective application for a single-storey outbuilding at Flat 5 Truscott House, 27 Queens Road, Whitstable. Councillor Robert Jones declared that he knew one of the public speakers but was not pre-determined.

Ashley Kynes, the planning officer, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Samantha Gurney and Edmund Sergeant spoke in support of the application, while Robert Slee and Paul Moore spoke in objection. Lucy Tregear, the applicant, also addressed the committee.

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the development, with an amendment to condition 1 to change the word 'sleeping' to 'overnight'.

Linden House, Linden Grove, Canterbury Roof Extension

The committee approved planning permission for a rear roof extension at Linden House, 2 Linden Grove, Canterbury. Councillor Michael Dixey declared that he would leave the meeting for the item as it was his application, and left the chamber for the debate and vote.

Elizabeth Donnachie, the planning officer, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Oxenden House Farm, Highstead, Chislet Subdivision

The committee approved planning permission for the subdivision of a residential dwelling into two residential dwellings, together with associated external alterations and decking to the rear at Oxenden House Farm, Highstead, Chislet.

Emily Rule, the planning officer, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Fordwich Road, Sturry Extension

The committee approved planning permission for a two-storey rear extension, an increase in overall ridge height, a second floor rear extension, a single-storey rear conservatory with external canopy, and new gates within the existing boundary wall at 12 Fordwich Road, Sturry. Councillor Harry McKenzie declared that he was pre-determined and would leave the chamber before the councillor discussions or vote, and left the chamber for the debate and vote.

Ashley Kynes, the planning officer, had recommended that the application be granted, subject to safeguarding conditions.

Mark Patchett, Julia Campbell, and Anne Esan spoke in support of the application, while Ben Edwards spoke in objection. Phil Ward, the agent, also addressed the committee.

Planning Appeals

The committee noted the report from Stevie Andrews, Planning Manager, regarding recent planning appeal decisions. The appeals concerned:

• A single storey detached dwelling at 14 The Bridge Approach, Whitstable.
• The existing use of a former garage as ancillary accommodation to Wychwood, The Drove, Padma, The Drove, Fordwich.
• The stationing of caravans for residential use in excess of the numbers permitted by a previous planning permission at Land At Romany Green Acres, Well Lane, Fordwich.