DDC refuse Sandown Castle development

Published: 18 June 2025

Deal Town Council has welcomed the refusal of a planning application on land adjacent to Sandown Castle community gardens.

Dover District Council considered plans for the ‘erection of a building for use as a cafe with new pedestrian access’ on Thursday 12 June and decided to refuse permission.

Deal Town Council has long opposed the application due to Sandown Castle’s status as a Scheduled Monument and its proximity to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Mayor of Deal, Cllr Mike Eddy, said: “The remains of Sandown Castle and the grounds upon which it sits are incredibly precious.

“The significance of the site and the history locked beneath it are of such national importance that the site is protected.

“While we understand that a café and public facilities would be welcomed by some, the destruction that would be required to build such a venue simply doesn’t stack up.

“Not only would they have to destroy some of the archaeology for plumbing, foundations and so on, there would also be a detrimental impact on the neighbouring site of special scientific interest

“We welcome DDC’s decision to deny the planning application but we are very aware that an appeal may well lodged.”