DMG15
Member
Hello all
As quiet as I am on here, I thought it was probably my responsibility to update on two (rather popular) Kentish sites, Babies Castle and Lillesden, either side of Hawkhurst. I drive past both every day on my way to/from work so get as much of an eye-full as possible.
What's spurred this post? Site clearance! I'm unable to find the planning permission details online any more for Babies (if anyone can find a link that'd be sweet) but the last time I checked it was still valid. And now the site is being cleared. For the first time in... well, ever? Perhaps this is the start of the end of Babies for us all. Apologies for the somewhat uninventive photos, I took them on Friday evening on my way back from work and was in no way prepared to venture in to the mud in my suit, and they were only to be used as an update and to show the situation anyway. Planning permission was granted to demolish the existing structure and put in its place a three-storey, 90-bed care home.
Babies 4 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 3 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 2 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 1 by dangill15, on Flickr
As I think we all know, conversion of Lillesden to flats is well underway. Windows are now in and the whole place is looking a little more dapper. I find it a real shame it's being done (I wanted to buy it and convert it in to my own mansion [one day]), as once this conversion has taken place planning permission is valid to begin the construction of a new block of flats and a number of houses a matter or metres from the existing building. To spoil such beautiful parkland with bland new boxes is a real shame - but - without such development would the original buildings still even be standing? We'll never know, but I suppose at the end of the day it's nice it's still there, even if it is as a block of flats. I'll stop ranting now.
As quiet as I am on here, I thought it was probably my responsibility to update on two (rather popular) Kentish sites, Babies Castle and Lillesden, either side of Hawkhurst. I drive past both every day on my way to/from work so get as much of an eye-full as possible.
What's spurred this post? Site clearance! I'm unable to find the planning permission details online any more for Babies (if anyone can find a link that'd be sweet) but the last time I checked it was still valid. And now the site is being cleared. For the first time in... well, ever? Perhaps this is the start of the end of Babies for us all. Apologies for the somewhat uninventive photos, I took them on Friday evening on my way back from work and was in no way prepared to venture in to the mud in my suit, and they were only to be used as an update and to show the situation anyway. Planning permission was granted to demolish the existing structure and put in its place a three-storey, 90-bed care home.
Babies 4 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 3 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 2 by dangill15, on Flickr
Babies 1 by dangill15, on Flickr
As I think we all know, conversion of Lillesden to flats is well underway. Windows are now in and the whole place is looking a little more dapper. I find it a real shame it's being done (I wanted to buy it and convert it in to my own mansion [one day]), as once this conversion has taken place planning permission is valid to begin the construction of a new block of flats and a number of houses a matter or metres from the existing building. To spoil such beautiful parkland with bland new boxes is a real shame - but - without such development would the original buildings still even be standing? We'll never know, but I suppose at the end of the day it's nice it's still there, even if it is as a block of flats. I'll stop ranting now.