Keeping Sandgate High Street Commercial

Sandgate Councillor Kurt Stephens has slammed Shepway Council for not working with Sandgate Parish Council to seek to keep Sandgate High Street as a "mainly commercial" area.

In response to a recent objection from Sandgate Parish Council to the conversion of an existing High Street shop unit to a residential unit, Shepway's Planning Department commented that in area such as Sandgate High Street "there is no policy requirement to keep ground floors as retail or business uses."

Kurt said:

"There are some great businesses opening in Sandgate. Amongst others, the Boat House on Granville Parade is a real draw to the area, Inn Doors micropub has really taken off, and ROKA are a great addition to the High Street and becoming really well known throughout Shepway for great pizza.

"Sandgate Trading will open next door to the Village Store soon, and I was delighted to see a planning application recently for a new Deli Cafe at 104 Sandgate High Street.

"But for the High Street to thrive and continue to draw in new businesses, we need to keep a 'critical mass' of shops and commercial units. Losing potential shop and business premises to residential units is a massive shame and I'm appalled Shepway are not backing up Sandgate Parish Council in trying to resist these applications."