What might be acceptable
Planning application 14/13247 ( Sept 2015 )
We are not opposed to building, just bad building.
In summer we ran a pop-up survey with the 'Create Streets' organisation to ask Kingston residents what kind of development might be acceptable. Here is what could be acceptable on this site:
In summer we ran a pop-up survey with the 'Create Streets' organisation to ask Kingston residents what kind of development might be acceptable. Here is what could be acceptable on this site:
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Height The proposed development must be modified to comply with the generous height guidance given by the Eden Quarter Development brief SPD; and to respect the existing building heights in the vicinity. Landmark Tower J should be reduced to 9-13 storeys and the Ashdown Road Tower to 6-8 storeys. Density Density must be lowered to fall well within the range given by the London Plan of 650 - 1100 habitable rooms per hectare. We do not accept that the density calculation should include the public space, the square or the two existing listed buildings. Public Realm The proposed Post Office Square should be re-orientated to receive an adequate amount of direct sunlight, and be flanked by open space, gardens or 2-3 storey buildings of a scale similar to itself. |
Affordable Housing The proposed development must provide 50% of the units as affordable housing to comply with Kingston Councils' Affordable Housing SPD. Infrastructure and parking The proposed development must provide a reasonable amount of public and private parking. It must also provide sufficient contribution for GP surgeries, schools and infrastructure. Architectural quality The architecture must be improved to be less generic, of 'exemplar standard of design', and to adequately respond to the site and context - as required by the Eden Quarter Development brief SPD. If the 'landmark' requires a tower then its height and form must be improved to avoid harm to views and must have sufficient architectural merit to justify any height above 9 storeys. |
> Click here to see the KRA summer pop-up survey results
> Click here to see the 'Create Streets Guide for Councillors'
> Click here to see the 'Create Streets Guide for Councillors'
HOW TO MAKE AN ATTRACTIVE CITY: One could not go far wrong by applying the following 6 principles as explained in this video:
1. How buildings should look and cities laid out: Not too chaotic, not too ordered
2. Visible life - connection with people doing things is what makes successful streets, markets and squares
3. Compact with public spaces - avoid the isolation of dead dormitory suburbs. Instead enjoy good public squares that provide moderation and escape from the intensities of home.
4. Orientation and Mystery - provide some enclosure and places to get lost. Strike a balance between small streets and large.
5. Scale - who has air rights? 5 stories is an ideal height, above which we feel insignificant.
6. Make it Local - cities and their buildings shouldn't look the same everywhere. Cities need to have a strong local character.
1. How buildings should look and cities laid out: Not too chaotic, not too ordered
2. Visible life - connection with people doing things is what makes successful streets, markets and squares
3. Compact with public spaces - avoid the isolation of dead dormitory suburbs. Instead enjoy good public squares that provide moderation and escape from the intensities of home.
4. Orientation and Mystery - provide some enclosure and places to get lost. Strike a balance between small streets and large.
5. Scale - who has air rights? 5 stories is an ideal height, above which we feel insignificant.
6. Make it Local - cities and their buildings shouldn't look the same everywhere. Cities need to have a strong local character.