Plans to turn disused student housing into one of Kent’s largest HMOs have been downsized after previously being rejected.
In July 2024, Developer Jamie Copland sought to turn Northwood Court, in Broadstairs, into an 84-bedroom house in multiple occupation.
However, in September last year, Thanet District Council (TDC) rejected the bid, which sought to convert the former Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) accommodation.
TDC officers raised concerns about the impact on existing residents near the Millenium Way building due to the increase in noise and disturbance from the high concentration of HMO rooms.
In April this year, the plans were resubmitted, asking for 68 bedrooms instead.
“Each unit includes its own shower room and bathroom; along with separate laundry rooms; lounges and kitchens on each floor, with additional communal facilities comprising a large lounge/tv room; workspace; gym and private kitchen/dining room,” the new plans say.
“This is not a case where the current proposals would give rise to the development of isolated homes in the countryside,” documents written for the developer by Tim North & Associates stress.
They argue the rooms will meet an “important need” in the local housing market, adding that it “has the propensity to generate a greater number of permanent jobs” than by leaving it allocated as employment land, which it currently is.
However, the plans do not specify how many jobs will be created – but does suggest there will be multiple managers employed by the HMO.
Planning permission for the existing accommodation building was given in 2002, serving the CCCU Broadstairs campus until it shut in 2018.
In October 2023 permission was granted to convert the building into accommodation for 84 agricultural workers at Thanet Earth, but documents say they were “unable to fulfil the purchase of the property”, so the plans were never implemented.
In November 2023, plans were submitted to use the building as temporary accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, but the proposal was withdrawn in August 2024.
It is not yet known when TDC will decide on the new HMO bid, but an internal target deadline of June 20 has been set.
