The site is the size of about five-and-a-half football pitches
Plans for a new Starbucks drive-thru, padel courts and offices have been given the green light. Critics suggested the proposals on a site in Herne Bay, “do not hit the highest possible environmental standards,” but proponents boasted that there was “already a waiting list” for units on the site.
A planning application for the development at the junction of Sweechbridge Road and May Street was first submitted to Canterbury City Council (CCC) in December 2024 on behalf of George Wilson Developments. The site is the size of about five-and-a-half football pitches, and sits next to the Thanet Way main road.
“The proposed light industrial development will provide a convenient industrial/commercial facility for the local area and will create significant additional employment opportunities,” the developers wrote in planning documents. However, since plans were first proposed, one of the units has been re-proposed as hosting an indoor padel court, and another as a drive-thru.
CCC planning officers recommended that councillors approve the plans at a meeting on Tuesday (December 9). Josh Wilson, speaking on behalf of the developers, praised the plans as “the regeneration of vacant brownfield land – formerly a petrol station and a nightclub into 130,000sq ft of high-quality, employment-generating commercial space”.
He continued: “We are already in advanced discussion with occupiers, subject to planning approval, the drive-thru will be let to Starbucks. Osprey Charging has expressed a strong interest in delivering the 12-bay EV charging hub.
“We’re also working with three specialist providers to deliver the padel facility, which will deliver four high-quality indoor courts.” “There is significant demand for industrial space in the Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay area,” he stressed.
“We have a waiting list of people looking for units on this site, small businesses from Herne Bay and bigger businesses.” However, resident Sarah Bunby attended the meeting and urged councillors to reject the plans, saying: “The character of this area is defined by openness and long views.
“An industrial estate with large buildings, service yards, HGV activity, a restaurant and late-night padel courts will be highly visible by day and in the evening.” Under the plans, the industrial buildings and offices would be in use from 7am-7pm, the Starbucks from 6am-9pm, and the padel courts would be open from 6.30am-11pm Monday to Saturday, and 7am-10pm on Sundays.
As part of the nearby Hillborough development by Taylor Wimpey, the industrial estate would have a footpath connecting it to the Altira Business Park, where plans have also emerged for a new Aldi supermarket. Some councillors were also critical of the proposal.
“I think we’re too complacent about letting through applications which do not hit the highest possible environmental standards,” said Cllr Keith Bothwell (Green). Under the plans, four mature oak trees are to be removed and replaced with 10 newly planted ones.
Unenthused by this, Cllr Bothwell continued: “There are four mature oak trees which are going to be lost – these are valuable trees, they grow incredibly slowly, you can’t just cut them down and plant a sapling instead and think it’s going to do the same job, they need to be decades old before they can absorb carbon.” Regarding the site, he also said: “Okay, it’s a bit of a dump, but it’s probably got quite high biodiversity at the moment.”
Cllr Ian Stockley (Con) argued: “If we were to refuse this on the grounds that it does not meet the very highest standards of insulation, that would be overturned because that is not the law as it stands. We do need employment, this seems to be quite a good use of what is currently a derelict piece of land.
“I do agree that the loss of green space is lamentable but that’s where we are, we need to build these things.” Ultimately, the planning committee voted to approve the application with six votes in favour, four against, and one abstention.
Works to build the facilities are set to commence early next year.
