Plans in to transform shopping centre area

Plans to transform and redevelop the area around a shopping centre in Kent with a new mixed-use scheme consisting of hundreds of new homes, shops and restaurants have taken a step forward.Property developer U+I Group has submitted a hybrid planning to Sevenoaks District Council for the phased redevelopment of part of Swanley Square and land to the rear of the shopping centre.The site owner is hoping to secure consent to construct seven new buildings around the shopping centre to provide 303 new homes and more than 46,000 sq ft of space for retail, restaurant and café uses. If approved, the scheme would also include more than 10,000 sq ft of community floorspace and 338 car parking spaces.A planning application for the project had originally been submitted in May 2016, but the scheme has since been scaled back following feedback from the town, district and county councils as well as the general public.U+I is now seeking detailed planning permission for three new buildings (blocks 1, 2 and 4), ranging between three and 13 storeys, to provide 210 residential units, more than 15,600 sq ft of retail and commercial floorspace and a multi-storey car park.Meanwhile, the outline part of the application involves the demolition of existing buildings and structures the construction of four new buildings (blocks 3,5, 6 and 7) which will comprise up to 93 residential units, up to 31,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace and up to 10,300 sq ft of community floorspace.In documents lodged with Sevenoaks District Council, U+I said the objective of the redevelopment is to improve the socio-economic well-being of Swanley, diversify the town centre and create “a sense of civic pride”.The district council is expected to make a decision by 23 October 2017.