'Substandard' buildings near cafe face demolition

Plans to flatten and replace eyesore buildings next to one of Kent's most popular roadside cafes have been given the green light.

The commercial units next to the Airport Cafe in Sellindge, between Folkestone and Ashford, have been in a state of "total disrepair" for years but will soon be rebuilt.

David Morgan, owner of the site which also hosts a lorry parking facility, applied to Folkestone and Hythe District Council for permission in the summer of 2023.

The application was approved at a planning committee meeting on 7 January, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In documents submitted to the council, Mr Morgan asked the authority for planning consent to demolish the existing "substandard buildings and construction of new replacement buildings on the existing footprint of the old units".

He added: "The two separate blocks were built in 1987-88 and have been used as light industrial units since construction for the period of 30 years until the construction became so poor that they could no longer be fully utilised."

One of the buildings had to be partially demolished due to its sagging roof for safety reasons, rendering it "substantially unusable and totally unlettable".

Jenny Hollingsbee, the Conservative councillor who represents the area, said: "I am a little bit concerned that you'll end up with something like this at the edge of a new garden settlement."

The new town of up to 10,000 homes, Otterpool Park, is planned for the area, with the first 8,500 homes already approved.

"Sellindge residents are always worried about the lorries going through the village and it is a concern," Ms Hollingsbee said, referring to the cafe's lorry parking.

An officer reassured her that there is signage on the opposite side of the road directing lorry traffic towards the M20 as opposed to going through Sellindge itself.

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