Supermarket and flats planned for former dance school

A well-known former dance studio and wedding venue could be turned into a supermarket. Plans have been submitted to convert Riannos, at 33 Tonbridge Road in Maidstone, once home to the Margaret Preedy Dance School, into a supermarket on the ground floor, with three flats on the first floor and a further flat on the second floor. The building is Grade II listed and was built in the late 18th century and once belonged to the influential Fremlin family of Maidstone brewers.

It was formerly the Oakleaf Social Club before it was acquired by Margaret Preedy in 2000 as the new home for the dance school that had been started by her father Peter in 1948. Then in 2002, she launched Rianos Party and Wedding Venue in the same building – hosting countless events. Mrs Preedy announced in July that she was selling up and retiring to Sicily.



The new owners, Maidstream, plan a number of internal changes to the building to maximise the ground floor retail potential. The building already has a flat on the second floor, but the proposal will provide for two two-bedroom and two one-bedroom flats, which will all be accessed from a private door at the back of the building. The vehicular access will be modified.

Entry will be via an existing access on Bower Place, between Bower Cuts hairdressers and the M&S Fried Chicken fast-food takeaway. Parking will be at the back of the building, with four spaces allocated for residents and 12 spaces for shoppers. The existing parking to the front of the building, by Tonbridge Road, will be done away with and replaced with landscaping.

Exit from the car park will be via a new access onto Tonbridge Road, so creating a drive-in, drive-out one-way system. The shop will be provisioned via a loading bay on Tonbridge Road. The planning applications do not stipulate who the eventual retailer might be.

There is already a Premier Convenience Store a short distance away The application has been met with some apprehension by those commenting on social media. Carol Mullins, a Fant resident for 25 years, said: “The access in and out of Bower Place and Tonbridge Road will be horrendous. Whoever thinks this is a good idea does not live in Fant!” “Bower Place is very dangerous now.

Cars parked on the pavement, people walking in the road and accidents happen a lot down this road.” Paul Harper (Oakwood and Fant Independents) is a ward councillor for the area. He welcomed the conversion to flats, saying: “Frankly, most people will be relieved it is not to become another abysmal HMO (house in multiple occupation).

” But he was dubious about entry from Bower Place. He said: “Bower Place is one of the narrowest roads, heavily used by pedestrians and is already very dangerous. “I can’t imagine local residents would welcome this aspect.

” Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal. Details of the Riannos planning application can be found on the Maidstone council website under reference number 24/503337. Details of the accompanying listed building consent application can be found under 24/50338.

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