HYBRID PLANNING PERMISSION SECURED FOR FOLKESTONE COLLEGE CAMPUS WITH DEVELOPMENT OF UP TO 33 FAMILY DWELLINGS ON REMAINING UNDERUTILISED LAND

olkestone College is an established educational facility offering further education opportunities for school leavers, mature students, employers and those seeking a change in career. Seeking to reconfigure the existing campus arrangement to reflect current demands for the courses on offer Hume Planning Consultancy were appointed by the College to co-ordinate and lead the planning application process.

The redeveloped campus will enable greater efficiency in the use of buildings and spaces and update the teaching facilities and accommodation. Proposals include a new purpose built main campus building, student hub and reception area addressing Shornecliffe Road aiding legibility and enhancing the presence of the campus within the streetscene. Through space efficiency savings an opportunity to release land for residential development was identified and [outline] planning permission secured for up to 33 new family dwellings that benefit from a highly sustainable location.

Supported by a viability appraisal, the reinvestment of funds towards improvements in the education facility were accepted by the LPA in lieu of affordable housing and other S106 obligations. Hume Planning Consultancy were able to navigate through the planning process responding to matters of ecology, design, transport, local heritage, drainage and planning policy to enable planning permission to be granted – securing the opportunity for enhanced educational facilities at the college. We wish them every success in the future.