Council loses appeal over Old Laundry flats scheme

COUNCIL chiefs are waiting to hear how much a High Court case will cost taxpayers after a planning wrangle over dilapidated garages near Folkestone was decided by a judge.

- By MARY HARRIS

A planning inspector's decision to allow the demolition of the red-brick building in Cheriton, which had a tree growing through its roof, and build three flats went to judicial review earlier this year.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which had originally rejected the application from David Clark for The Old Laundry in Bowen Road, called for the review, saying the inspector did not give proper consideration to the outlook from two of the flats.

The authority also argued that he had not imposed certain planning conditions, which meant he had “erred in law”.

Mr Clark had appealed the council’s original decision, and the planning inspector took his side and granted planning permission for the scheme in August of last year.