Opinions are divided as to whether a magnificent 18th century building should be transformed into a wedding location.
A total of 129 letters from locals say yes to the plan in Great Mongeham and 105 no.
The old rectory in Great Mongeham. Image: Google Maps
Mongeham parish council opposes it, but Dover county council officials recommend approval.
The town planning councils will vote on this on Thursday.
Even two different Kent County Council departments cannot agree.
KCC Highways is in favor, but the Council’s Public Right of Way (PROW) section is against.
The current residents of the Old Rectory in Mongeham Church Close want planning permission to use it as a wedding and event venue with a marquee.
The location is to be used for up to 30 weddings a year. Library image
That would be up to 30 weddings a year and up to 50 guests a year.
This scheme would be in addition to the current use of the building as a family home and bed and breakfast hotel.
The development would also require the creation of an outbuilding for toilets.
The proposal also includes 17 parking spaces, and guests who are not staying at The Old Rectory will be transported there and back by minibus.
Local residents say it will increase traffic problems and that the noise of weddings, music and partying will annoy the neighbors.
The proposal will be discussed in the Whitfield Council Chamber
They say that there is an unsuitable driveway and that it would lead to dangerous parking spaces.
They add that Mongeham Church Close is too tight to hold the amount of cars that would be expected at a wedding.
The Mongeham City Council also fears noise, disruption and access problems.
KCC PROW predicts that daily vehicle movements would increase from 18 to 40 at peak times, causing problems for pedestrians.
Residents who support the program say it will benefit the local economy, which has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
They add that the venue looks ideal and additional wedding fees would help preserve the neighboring 14th century St. Martin’s Church.
KCC Highways accepted the plan because of the limitation on the number of weddings and guests.
The district planners say the proposal would not affect the rural character of the area, wildlife or the living conditions of neighboring residents.
They said this would increase spending in the local economy, and while a periodic, short-term increase in traffic was expected, the overall benefits of the program outweighed this.
The old rectory, which was probably built in the second half of the 18th century, is a listed property in a nature reserve.
During the Second World War it served as a residence for soldiers from a gun battery located on the site.
After the war, the property was returned to the church and bought by the current owners in 1985.
The application will be negotiated on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Dover District Council Planning Committee at the agency’s headquarters at White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield.
Debates have returned to the Council Chamber as coronavirus restrictions ease, but the number of citizens who can participate is still limited.
The meeting can also be viewed online by following the instructions here. To see more public notices, click here
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