Last night was a bittersweet success… Yes, we got the vote we have been seeking for over a year, but the reasons attached to the Councillors’ refusal were so worryingly restrictive it is very hard to celebrate properly. This is far from over...
Another worrying factor we witnessed last night was the Planning Department’s eagerness to defend St George. They did not even accept that there were clear London Plan policy breaches in the proposed scheme.
We are not surprised. For some time now we have known that the Royal Borough Of Kingston's Planning Department approves of St George’s plans. We have been writing about this a lot. In his latest report, Mr Evans repeats, at para 294, the frankly ludicrous statement that the site is “a gap in the urban fabric” and that “a high quality development in this void will make a positive contribution to the view from this location.” The clear opinion of the residents, expressed time and again in different forums, is that the design is not of high quality and will contribute nothing to our view other than a series of tower blocks obstructing our current view. These views have evidently not made any mark on Mr Evans’ professional opinion. We would like to point out that we find his representations quite misleading and it is very worrying to find a Head of Planning that is so completely out of touch with the views of local residents, councillors and MPs.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Last night’s refusal was a good day for local democracy. Remember, on paper there were at least 3,600 objections across the 3 iterations of this proposal, with fewer than 100 views in support. This huge weight of opinion has effectively persuaded the Councillors. Rightly so. They also know the politics of high rise blocks is changing and affordable housing is moving swiftly up the London political agenda – a lamentable 5.7% affordable homes is no longer something they can blindly approve. Also, there is clear legal opinion that this development may harm local heritage. So it was good to see a unanimous vote against such an irresponsible proposal. We thank them all.
And St George, if you reading this (we know you do) please remember: that in 2015 the residents of Kingston do not welcome gated, impenetrable, tall and unsustainable identikit tower blocks on their doorsteps! We will continue watching your plans, applications and lobbying. You can take this to the bitter end of course, but if you want a harmonious outcome to this saga, please show a little imaginative and strategic flair and come forward with something appropriate for the needs of local people, such as sensitively landscaped, mid-rise buildings and homes we can actually afford to live in. If you need help, you know where to find us. Let’s start again and consult properly!
We are not surprised. For some time now we have known that the Royal Borough Of Kingston's Planning Department approves of St George’s plans. We have been writing about this a lot. In his latest report, Mr Evans repeats, at para 294, the frankly ludicrous statement that the site is “a gap in the urban fabric” and that “a high quality development in this void will make a positive contribution to the view from this location.” The clear opinion of the residents, expressed time and again in different forums, is that the design is not of high quality and will contribute nothing to our view other than a series of tower blocks obstructing our current view. These views have evidently not made any mark on Mr Evans’ professional opinion. We would like to point out that we find his representations quite misleading and it is very worrying to find a Head of Planning that is so completely out of touch with the views of local residents, councillors and MPs.
But it is not all doom and gloom. Last night’s refusal was a good day for local democracy. Remember, on paper there were at least 3,600 objections across the 3 iterations of this proposal, with fewer than 100 views in support. This huge weight of opinion has effectively persuaded the Councillors. Rightly so. They also know the politics of high rise blocks is changing and affordable housing is moving swiftly up the London political agenda – a lamentable 5.7% affordable homes is no longer something they can blindly approve. Also, there is clear legal opinion that this development may harm local heritage. So it was good to see a unanimous vote against such an irresponsible proposal. We thank them all.
And St George, if you reading this (we know you do) please remember: that in 2015 the residents of Kingston do not welcome gated, impenetrable, tall and unsustainable identikit tower blocks on their doorsteps! We will continue watching your plans, applications and lobbying. You can take this to the bitter end of course, but if you want a harmonious outcome to this saga, please show a little imaginative and strategic flair and come forward with something appropriate for the needs of local people, such as sensitively landscaped, mid-rise buildings and homes we can actually afford to live in. If you need help, you know where to find us. Let’s start again and consult properly!