Here is an update and some 'clarification' on the Eden Walk cancelled decision meeting 'shenanigans'.
It has emerged that the "Amended plans have been submitted" tweet statement by Kingston Council was not entirely true. As we understand it, the Officers were shown some new images; the decision meeting was cancelled; the developer later formally submitted 'insignificant' amends after the decision meeting date - not before.
We are now back to a pre-decision meeting on May 18th, and Cllr Jack Chetham will get his committee vote back, which he had forfeited earlier.
We are now back to a pre-decision meeting on May 18th, and Cllr Jack Chetham will get his committee vote back, which he had forfeited earlier.
Today we received the following further 'clarifications' from the Planning Officers and the planning website page.
1: An option for a lighter colour to 'Core B'
The day before the decision meeting of the 23rd March we are told:
"the developers informally submitted changes to Officers and after seeing them it was decided to postpone the meeting."
This was later clarified:
"Whilst we have seen the images we are awaiting their formal submission which should be over the next few days after which we will upload them on to the website." - Planning Officer, 23.03.2016
The day after the cancelled decision meeting the developers wrote to the council to formally offer an option to lighten the colour of 'Core B' - one of the three Eden Cresent housing towers: - deloitte letter PDF
2: Simpler balconies
Eight days later on April 1st the developers' architects issued 'Planning addendum 4'. The balconies on 'Core B' had been simplified - the sides and tops had been removed, so the effected plans and elevations were updated and re-issued to reflect this change. They were later uploaded to the planning website. - Addendum 4 Drawing Register PDF
As you can see above - it seems the lighter colour option has been opted for. This Post Office Corner view is updated with both changes: the lighter colour and the simpler balconies.
The developers indicated "the changes to the balconies came about from consultation feedback." but it is not clear what that feedback was or from whom it came from.
No re-consultation
The DC committee needed more time to consider the changes, but " The changes do not require formal re-consultation... Re-consultation only takes place for amendments which significantly alter the scheme. The website is constantly updated and therefore this is the best source of information to view any changes to the scheme."
- Planning Officer
Back to pre-decision
The pre-decision meeting will be re-run.
This means committee member Jack Chetham ( Conservative Cllr ) - who forfeited his seat at the decision of March 23rd by arriving too late at the pre-decision meeting - will now get his vote back.
"As there will be a new Pre-DC meeting all members of the Committee will be allowed to attend and then same members will then need to attend the following weeks decision making Committee" - Planning Officer.
New meetings dates
Please save these two new dates.
"We have two new provisional dates 18th May for Pre-DC and 25th May for the Decision making DC" - Planning Officer.
The developers indicated "the changes to the balconies came about from consultation feedback." but it is not clear what that feedback was or from whom it came from.
No re-consultation
The DC committee needed more time to consider the changes, but " The changes do not require formal re-consultation... Re-consultation only takes place for amendments which significantly alter the scheme. The website is constantly updated and therefore this is the best source of information to view any changes to the scheme."
- Planning Officer
Back to pre-decision
The pre-decision meeting will be re-run.
This means committee member Jack Chetham ( Conservative Cllr ) - who forfeited his seat at the decision of March 23rd by arriving too late at the pre-decision meeting - will now get his vote back.
"As there will be a new Pre-DC meeting all members of the Committee will be allowed to attend and then same members will then need to attend the following weeks decision making Committee" - Planning Officer.
New meetings dates
Please save these two new dates.
"We have two new provisional dates 18th May for Pre-DC and 25th May for the Decision making DC" - Planning Officer.