Specialist regeneration developer, U+I reveals it has secured planning on appeal to demolish part of the Swanley Shopping Centre in Kent to construct several blocks of flats
U+I’s divisive mixed-use Swanley Square development involves plans to build 300 homes, 50,000 sq ft of commercial space and a multi-storey car park.
Previously, Sevenoaks District Council had rejected proposals due to the “over intensification of development of this site, the out of proportion high rise development, the lack of appropriate parking provision, the lack of affordable purchasable properties, and many other issues of concern that residents raised”.
Mayor of Swanley, councillor Lesley Dyball, said: “I know many residents will feel they have not been listened to by the national Planning Inspector, with many residents giving incredibly passionate and well prepared speeches at the public inquiry.
“Swanley Town Council is also disappointed with this outcome, and we thank all those residents, including the Swanley Action Group, who took the time to fight against it.
“As the U+I Development is a phased build it is likely to take many years for the whole development to be completed, so Swanley Town Council will continue to lobby the developers to ensure that promises by them are kept, including the suitable relocation of the Cedars Surgery, and that disruption from the construction is minimalised as far as possible for local residents and businesses.”
U+I argued the extra homes and improved amenities would increase footfall into Swanley Shopping Centre.
Matthew Weiner, CEO of U+I, commented: “The Inspector’s decision found strongly in favour of this imaginative, mixed-use development in Swanley, which is located less than thirty minutes from Central London in an area of huge potential.
“It is a strong demonstration of our integrated regeneration business plan and one of many such opportunities within our portfolio, as we look to maximise the value of our assets.”
