18 October 2014
Planning Department
Canterbury City Council
Military Road, Canterbury
Kent CT2 1YW
Dear Colleagues
CA//14/02045/FUL: 1 Ryde Street, Canterbury, CT2 8QP
Removal of existing low pitched roof and replacement with Mansard roof, incorporating
dormer windows to front and rear, to create second-floor accommodation containing 2
bedrooms and replacement entrance porch.
The Canterbury Society is concerned about this application for several reasons.
Firstly, there is the height of the proposed extension. The majority of the houses in the area
are of two storeys. The addition of a further storey to the property would not be in keeping
with the neighbourhood, which is a Conservation Area. The initial planning application for
the site of 3 Ryde Street was for a pair of three storey semi-detached houses. It was turned
down on the grounds of excessive height, and this proposal should be refused too.
Secondly, we are concerned that what is being proposed is essentially a student house in
multi-occupation. We are told that there are already five students living in the house and
that there are serious problems with noise and rubbish. Any further enlargement of the
property would add more students, and increase the existing problems in Ryde Street.
Thirdly, there is the visual appearance of the proposed porch. This is totally out of keeping
with the street scene, being of a mock Georgian style, while all of the other properties are of
cottage style.
We hope that the Planning Committee will refuse this application. If granted, it would
damage what is currently a very charming corner of our city.
Yours sincerely
Jan Pahl
Chair of the Canterbury Society
18 St Dunstan’s Terrace, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8AX