Abandoned historical manor to be turned into homes

An historical former manor house in Kent is to be converted into 30 new homes after being abandoned for years.

Hall Place, which sits besides the A2050 in Harbledown, was built in 1596 and was most recently used for teaching by Canterbury Christ Church University until being left to decay in 2019.

But, in April last year plans were submitted to Canterbury City Council (CCC) to convert it into apartments, an application which has this week been approved.

Lib Dem councillor Steph Jupe, who represents the Blean Forest area, said she was "chuffed" at the decision.

"It's been about two years since I ranted at the developer and said they needed to change their proposals to be more sympathetic to the property and location," she said.

"What came from that is a plan to bring this beautiful and much-loved place back to life, one which is supported by the community."

Jupe said she was glad there would be no more urban explorers filming themselves roaming its graffitied corridors or "ugly hoardings on the road" - rather just "a few more homes going in the right place".

Under the plans submitted by Historical Homes Ltd, Hall Place and its altered west wing would become nine apartments and three houses, while a new attached building would offer 12 flats and two houses.

Four properties will be constructed on the upper car park site behind it, while the landscape will be restored and enhanced, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ordinarily, CCC requires such developments to have 30% of homes marketed as affordable.

However, the developers submitted a viability report to CCC saying they cannot afford to provide any affordable homes on site, which was accepted.

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