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We oppose planning application CA//10/02148 because it could set a precedent for construction on this 2km of private beach and flood defense, owned by a property development company.

10 March 2011

Canterbury council has refused the latest planning application, citing eight specific reasons for this decision; which was also reported in this Whitstable Times article.

14 January 2011

Whitstable Beach is under threat again. The tranquil and open area of beach in front of the tennis courts could become a restaurant area under new proposals from the Whitstable Oyster Fisheries Company. If you don’t want to see your beach disappear under commercial development, read on, and follow to the links below to register your objection before January 21st.

The threat to your beach

The Whitstable Oyster Fisheries Company has submitted a new planning application to build a cafe/restaurant on West Beach with all year opening hours from 9 am – 22.00 pm. This would mean a large commercial structure on a currently undeveloped area of the beach.

There are many reasons why the Whitstable beach campaign opposes this development.

• Whitstable beach is an open area accessible for all to enjoy - residents and visitors. The area of the proposed development is affords some of the best views of Whitstable including the iconic view of the Neptune. It an area where locals and tourist alike come to walk, swim, enjoy picnics and watch the sunsets. Recently the local council designated the beaches as public open space, reflecting the wish of the local people to preserve Whitstable beach a tranquil area for the enjoyment of all, as well as an important health resource for leisure activities. A commercial development would change the character of the beach entirely.

• The beach is not only a valued and beautiful asset for the people of Whitstable. It is an important area for nature recognised by its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and SPA (Special Protected Area). These designations mean the area is one of the most important bird sites in Europe sustaining populations of, amongst others species, grey plovers, redshanks, curlews, brent geese and turnstones. A development, with broblems of noise qand waste disposal would threaten this delicate ecology.

• This structure jeopardises Whitstable’s flood defences. The beach is a flood plain, at risk from high tides and even flooding. Over recent years, to keep Whitstable safe, the beach has been replenished and the sea wall maintained in tact – all at public cost.. But this proposed development - placed on the sea ward side of the sea wall- will require breaking through the sea wall to connect to services and will obstruct beach replenishment. Not only would the development itself be at risk of inundation, built where high tides often reach, but its construction would jeopardise publicly- funded safety measures for Whitstable itself.

Background

Perhaps you are wondering how anyone can propose building on Whitstable beach? Surely the beach should be a public area open to all and not a source of revenue to a commercial developer? The private ownership of the beach is an anomaly because the Crown gave the land to the Oyster fishmen collectives to safeguard their living (Whitstable Oyster Fishery Act 1896). The current WOFC acquired those rights when it bought the then redundant company but it has never been established that ancient rights granted to the Oyster fishermen meant a modern day restaurant business had rights to commercial activity on the beach. Recently the WOFC attempted to clarify this situation, asking the to House of Lords to revise the ancient act so that they could now carry out any commercial activity on the beach.

There is no public support for this. Indeed when the company attempted to get permission from parliament to extend their activities, they were opposed by a hefty alliance of Whitstable people and groups, including Whitstable yacht club, Whitstable Improvement society, The Ramblers association and local residents groups. As a result of this exceptional opposition, the WOFC withdrew their application. There was tacit recognition in this that the company does not have the right to carry on any commercial activity on the beach and that the beach should be held in trust for the public good as a traditional public amenity.

The Red Spider: Myth

The WOFC claim this development is replacing the old red spider cafe much beloved of old residents of Whitstable. This old structure was removed in 1989 when the sea defences were renewed ( which in itself should warn that any future development would have to be taken down and rebuilt undoubtedly at taxpayers expense). But the old structure was a small tea room. The new proposal is for a much larger building with a license to run as a bar/restaurant. This enterprise would bring with it problems of noise, disruption of wildlife and problems of disposal of waste, since there is no easy access to this part of the beach. Anyone who thinks this building might provide a quiet veranda to enjoy a cup of tea overlooking the sea should familiarise themselves with disruptions associated with this kind of development. Most recently the East Quay, owned by the same company, was shut temporarily after problems with drugs and brawling. Anyone wanting a cup of tea is now provided for in the area by Windy Corner cafe, and a drink can be had on the beach at the Neptune.

This is the second time the WOFC has applied for permission to build a restaurant here. The original proposal met with unprecedented opposition – 172 letters against as opposed to 16 in support. To the shock of objectors, the structure got planning permission although as a result of English Nature’s (now Natural England) concern, restrictions were put on the opening hours in order to lessen disturbance to the birdlife. The original proposal lapsed but not before the WOFC had applied for extended licensing hours, therefore turning the original proposal from tea room into a licensed premise. This new proposal has come back larger and with longer, unrestricted opening hours. Disingenuously, the developer has claimed on the application that this development would have no ‘environmental’ impact’.

Red Spider: The reality

These developments would destroy the character of Whitstable’s beach, disrupt the wild species to which it is home, jeopardise our safety, and end up costing the tax payer who will doubtless be asked to foot the bill. They would also set a dangerous precedent for further commercial development of the beach.

If you want to preserve Whitstable’s character and open spaces, and if you are opposed to the commercial exploitation of the beach, follow the links to register your objections before January 21st.

Latest news

On December 16th 2010 WOFC made a new application to commence development on Whitstable 's West Beach.

For details visit www.canterbury.gov.uk > Planning Applications > Application Number = CA//10/02148 or click here.

Objections should be sent to development.control@canterbury.gov.uk by 23rd January.

To speak to the officer responsible, call Nick Davies on 01227-862000 after 10th January.

You can read objections raised by other people here then clicking on "Written representations ".

This website is curently being updated to deal with this new application.