Viv Evans
Head of Planning & Transport
Development Management
Guildhall 2, High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Email: [email protected]
Reference: 14/13247
[ your address ]
January 2016
Dear Sir
Here below is my response to the January 2016 amendments received in relation to planning application 14/13247 at DEVELOPMENT SITE AT FORMER POST OFFICE, ASHDOWN ROAD, KINGSTON UPON THAMES
This scheme fails to resolve the reasons for refusal:
1) The Ashdown road 'bookend' building is improved. It now complies on height, it is moved back and has a more sympathetic look. However the Old Exchange building still looks crowded.
2) The number of 3 bedroom flats is slightly increased. The proportion is increased from 10% to 12% but is still well short of the 30% Policy requirement. This marginal improvement can not be said to resolve the second reason for refusal.
3) Most significantly the developers have failed to address the third reason for refusal - that of the 16 storey tower. They have submitted only minor changes here. It is still too high and unsympathetically designed for this sensitive location. The Eden Quarter Brief calls for an exemplar design to justify 9+ storeys. This is not exemplar. All of my previous concerns about this tower and the harm it would cause to our ancient market town remain.
In general the better choice of brick and the more sympathetic 'Victorian look' around Wheatfield way are welcomed. But my previous concerns remain substantially unaddressed: The proposal would over-develop this sensitive site and harm the character of our town. It is too dense, too high and fails to meet the Council's policies.
This planning application in its current form should be rejected.
Yours sincerely,
[ your name ]
Head of Planning & Transport
Development Management
Guildhall 2, High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Email: [email protected]
Reference: 14/13247
[ your address ]
January 2016
Dear Sir
Here below is my response to the January 2016 amendments received in relation to planning application 14/13247 at DEVELOPMENT SITE AT FORMER POST OFFICE, ASHDOWN ROAD, KINGSTON UPON THAMES
This scheme fails to resolve the reasons for refusal:
1) The Ashdown road 'bookend' building is improved. It now complies on height, it is moved back and has a more sympathetic look. However the Old Exchange building still looks crowded.
2) The number of 3 bedroom flats is slightly increased. The proportion is increased from 10% to 12% but is still well short of the 30% Policy requirement. This marginal improvement can not be said to resolve the second reason for refusal.
3) Most significantly the developers have failed to address the third reason for refusal - that of the 16 storey tower. They have submitted only minor changes here. It is still too high and unsympathetically designed for this sensitive location. The Eden Quarter Brief calls for an exemplar design to justify 9+ storeys. This is not exemplar. All of my previous concerns about this tower and the harm it would cause to our ancient market town remain.
In general the better choice of brick and the more sympathetic 'Victorian look' around Wheatfield way are welcomed. But my previous concerns remain substantially unaddressed: The proposal would over-develop this sensitive site and harm the character of our town. It is too dense, too high and fails to meet the Council's policies.
This planning application in its current form should be rejected.
Yours sincerely,
[ your name ]