Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/086

Policy E07

Policy E07 - Serviced Tourist Accommodation (Hotels, Guest Houses and B&Bs)

The Council will permit the development of new serviced tourist accommodation, including extensions and improvements to existing accommodation, in appropriate locations such that:where this would be well related to existing built development and subject to the following criteria:

1) Must be of an appropriate scale that does not impact on the surrounding area, including impact upon the road network.
1) it is of form, scale and design appropriate to its surroundings;
2) it does not cause unacceptable impact on the road network or highway safety;
2) 3) it isShould be in sustainable locations and accessible by a range of means of transport (wherever possible in rural areas);
3) Outside of the urban area development should respect landscape character and nature conservation value.
4) If it is located in a rural area, that it respects the character of the local countryside and is sensitive to its defining characteristics; Outside of the urban area development should respect landscape character and nature conservation value, and
5) Sufficient mitigation should be provided to prevent against any material increase in recreational pressure on designated nature conservation sites

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/087

Policy E08

Policy E08 - Self Catering Tourist Accommodation

Proposals for the development, diversification, upgrade or improvement of self-catering accommodation will be permitted subject to the following criteria provided that:

1) Should be of appropriate siting, design, scale and access.
2) Should be related well to the primary and secondary road network.
3) Should be capable of being extensively landscaped such that its impact on the character of the area is minimised.
1)it is sustainably located;
2) it is of a form, scale and design appropriate to its surroundings;
3) in relation to a caravan and camping park, that it does not cause unacceptable impact on the local road network or highway safety, and wherever possible is well related to the primary and secondary road network; and
4) if it is located in a rural area, that it respects the character of the local countryside and is sensitive to its defining characteristics.
5) Sufficient mitigation should be provided to prevent any material increase in recreational pressure on designated nature conservation sites

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/088

Policy E09 

Policy E09 - Protection of Existing Tourist Accommodation

Proposals that would result in the loss of existing high quality tourist accommodation with 10 or more bedrooms will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the hotel/guesthouse or self-catering accommodation is no longer viable* for such use.

* In order to demonstrate that the existing tourist accommodation is not viable, evidence will be required to show that the facility has been marketed extensively for at least a year and at an open market value which is attributable to its use as tourist accommodation withcompetitive price and consideration given ofto alternative forms of holiday accommodation. Evidence will also be required of occupancy rates for the previous 3 years, and any other relevant factors such as previous marketing or business plans, locational factors and ease of access for visitors by a range of means of transport. In assessing whether the accommodation is high quality and not viable the Council may seek the independent views of industry experts

For clarity and effectiveness 

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/089

Policy E10

Policy E10 - Major Holiday Beaches

On those beaches identified as major holiday beaches below, the Council will support proposals for the provision and upgrading of a wide range of recreational facilities and services including tourist accommodation:

1) Main Sands, Margate
2) Ramsgate Main Sands
3) Viking Bay, Broadstairs

Proposals must also comply with the heritage policies of this plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

At Margate Main Sands recreational facilities will be concentrated on that part of the beach at the junction of Marine Terrace and Marine Drive and the built form shall not project above the level of the seafront promenade.

Development proposals must fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/090

Policy E11

Policy E11 - Intermediate Beaches

On those beaches identified as intermediate beaches below, and where scope exists for such development, the Council will support proposals for small scale tourism and leisure development (e.g. tourist accommodation, kiosks supplying food and refreshments, beach huts and beach furniture), subject to the scale of provision being consistent with the intermediate status of the beach and satisfactory design and siting of development:

1) Dumpton Gap (part)
2) Joss Bay
3) Louisa Bay
4) Minnis Bay (part)
5) St Mildred's Bay
6) Stone Bay
7) Walpole Bay
8) Westbrook Bay
9) Western Undercliff, Ramsgate
10) West Bay

Development proposals must fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

^{For clarity and effectiveness} 

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/091

Policy E12

Policy E12 - Undeveloped Beaches

On, or adjacent to undeveloped beaches identified on the Policies Map, priority will be given to the maintenance and enhancement of their natural and undeveloped character. New development including new built facilities, the provision of public car parking facilities and new or improved vehicular access to serve such beaches will not be permitted. In the exceptional event that development is permitted, proposals must fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/092

New Policy E10 merged from policies E10, E11 and E12

Policy E10 - Thanet's Beaches

Major Holiday Beaches

On those beaches identified as major holiday beaches below, the Council will support proposals for the provision and upgrading of a wide range of recreational facilities and services including tourist accommodation:

1) Main Sands, Margate
2) Ramsgate Main Sands
3) Viking Bay, Broadstairs

Proposals must also comply with the heritage policies of this plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

At Margate Main Sands recreational facilities will be concentrated on that part of the beach at the junction of Marine Terrace and Marine Drive and the built form shall not project above the level of the seafront promenade.

Development proposals must avoid or fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

Intermediate Beaches

On those beaches identified as intermediate beaches below, and where scope exists for such development, the Council will support proposals for small scale tourism and leisure development (e.g. tourist accommodation, kiosks supplying food and refreshments, beach huts and beach furniture), subject to the scale of provision being consistent with the intermediate status of the beach and satisfactory design and siting of development:

1) Dumpton Gap (part)
2) Joss Bay
3) Louisa Bay
4) Minnis Bay (part)
5) St Mildred's Bay
6) Stone Bay
7) Walpole Bay
8) Westbrook Bay
9) Western Undercliff, Ramsgate
10) West Bay

Development proposals must avoid or fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

Undeveloped Beaches

On, or adjacent to undeveloped beaches identified on the Policies Map, priority will be given to the maintenance and enhancement of their natural, remote and undeveloped character. New development including new built facilities, the provision of public car parking facilities and new or improved vehicular access to serve such beaches will not be permitted. In the event that there is an overriding need for development/necessary infrastructure that cannot be met or located elsewhere, such proposals must avoid or fully mitigate against any impact upon the designated nature conservation sites, and will be subject to the Habitats Regulations.

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

 MM/093

Policy E13

Policy E13 - Language Schools

Language schools will be permitted subject to:

1) The number of students to be accommodated, the hours of operation, the range of facilities provided and the relationship with adjoining properties not resulting in an unacceptable impact on the amenities living conditions of adjacent occupiers or on the character of an area as a whole through noise, additional on-street parking or general disturbance
2) The use of the property as a language school not resulting in an over-concentration of such uses in a particular locality to a level which is harmful to the character and appearance of the area where the character of that area is materially altered

For clarity and effectiveness

Modification Reference

Policy / Paragraph number

Main Modification

Reason for change

MM/094

Policy E14

Policy E14 - Quex Park

Farm diversification projects and tourism and leisure development at Quex Park Estate will be supported where they contribute to the upkeep of the Quex House and Gardens and the Powell-Cotton Museum and promote the Estate as a destination for tourism and leisure. Projects should be in keeping with the parkland character of the Estate, conserve and enhance the heritage assets and their settings, and the Park's biodiversity, and meet the requirements of Policy SP23

Applications that are likely to have an significant impact on the highway network must be accompanied by a Transport Assessment in accordance with Policy TP01. In other cases a transport statement may be required.

For clarity and effectiveness