We handed St George a copy of our 8 page January letter to RBK - which lists our objections.
No new design was tabled nor any specifics of a revised design mentioned by St George, although they are in discussion with their architects on the design of the "tower". They proposed a meeting with us and their architect in the near future, an idea welcomed by KRA.
Why did we meet St George, the developers of the Old Post Office Site?
It is essential to work with, influence, and engage with the key people in this development - while there is still time and the designs are not yet finalized.
General points made and received in the meeting
Points about design made and received in the meeting
No new design was tabled nor any specifics of a revised design mentioned by St George, although they are in discussion with their architects on the design of the "tower". They proposed a meeting with us and their architect in the near future, an idea welcomed by KRA.
Why did we meet St George, the developers of the Old Post Office Site?
It is essential to work with, influence, and engage with the key people in this development - while there is still time and the designs are not yet finalized.
General points made and received in the meeting
- St George are seeking to maximize the full potential of the site. The number of residential units - currently 380 - is not fixed. Instead the key driver for St George is the commercial 'viability' of the development. Details of the viability report are scrutinized by the council but have to remain secret from the public. This is normal. Eventually the KRA may see the report through Freedom of Information, but that could be a long time off.
- St George say a tower will command a premium that "subsidizes other parts of the development" and contributes to the overall viability.
- St George tell us the price they agreed for the land is fixed, not variable depending on value or size of development.
- Hammerson the land owners are in the business of building shopping complexes e.g. in Croydon, so for competition reasons would not allow the development to be mainly retail. But since it is mainly residential they are not influencing the choice, amount or location of retail in the development.
- KRA are frustrated by the lack of openness on details of the entire deal. For example section 106 payments and CIL payments. St George offered to email us a link to the planning document that lists some of this, but without specific amounts. They also refused to highlight exact figure exchange under Section 106. "Financial contributions to council in the form of unspecified cash".
- St George provided some clarification on the 16% affordable housing. Within affordable housing there are differing levels and types. The affordable housing provided in this scheme is per request by the relevant body. Under Plan A Affordable Housing will be 62. Under Plan B, figure is 54. Both under 17% and well below %50 affordable housing allocation required in London which they acknowledged.
- Malcolm would not give the exact amount of money allocated for the restoration of The Old Post Office building and the Telephone Exchange. However he implied the 16% affordable housing is due to high cost of renovation of the historic buildings.
- KRA requests to see a sample of the brick / brickwork to ensure better aesthetics than some recent inferior brick developments in Kingston.
- St George are aware of the social media sites, e-petition and recent Kingston Swarm event.
Points about design made and received in the meeting
- KRA are frustrated that such an unacceptable proposal was submitted in the planning application - especially height - despite the time and effort invested in consultation.
- KRA pointed out the blind spots of the overall design. i.e making the old post office building with a "front' for shoppers and creating a very poor south side at the 'back'. KRA pointed out Residents will be effected by poor pedestrian flow, look and feel and traffic congestion as a result. Lack of clear pedestrian plan for new extended Wheatfield way is also raised.
- Wind Tunnel is raised by KRA. It is dismissed as a non issue by the developers.
- KRA raised the merits of bringing the Gardens more towards the South side of the development to improve south elevation as well as better lighting for the green area proposed.
- KRA asked if the lack of Key View Guidance by the Kingston Council was a factor when deciding 21 storey tower. Developers refuse to go specific answer other than mentioning the Area action Plan and the new Eden Quarter SPD allow them to go 9+ floors.
- They also mention top 6 floor of the proposed Tower will be the high premium flats with the least capacity.
- Developers refused to accept proposed height may effect the visibility of All Saint's Church, Guildhall and Kingston Bridge. It is their understanding that all landmark views provided are within the Council's requirements and no special effect or image manipulation used in consultation documents.
- KRA said the design exceeds the Eden Quarter Development Brief SPD's height guidance of 6 - 8 storeys across the site and 9+ storeys in the SW corner. St George did not accept KRAs position that the 21 storey tower exceeded a reasonable interpretation of '9+ storeys'.
Next steps planned by KRA
- Arrange a meeting with St George architects in the coming weeks to see revised plans. We may have Architect in that meeting.
- Modify wording on posters / leaflets to remove specifics on height and somehow broaden appeal to a wider base, eg to include the folks who think more height means more affordable homes.
- Print updated leaflets.
- Leaflet drop local areas again, and hand out at railway station one weekend coming up
- Keep contacting Councilors, especially Conservative who are in the majority on the committee that will grant or reject the planning application.
- Getting further clarification from our councilors the exact numbers on Affordability, affordable rent and proposed Discount Market Sale figures that the developers mentioned in the meeting.
- One of the residents decided to write directly to Prince Charles to raise the height issue as a Royal Town concern!