Development Control - Trust Annual Report 1985
This continues to be one of the most important and active aspects of the Trust's affairs, and in the course of twelve months the various Panels comprising the Development Control Committee study at least 160 planning applications.
The day after the May meeting of the Council of the Trust, Nick McPherson, Chairman of the Committee, was involved in a serious motor accident, from which, we are thankful to say, he is making a good recovery. His absence makes us even more conscious of the invaluable contribution that he makes to our activities, particularly in this field.
In last year's Report it was remarked that the largest group of applications was for new office developments. During 1985 the emphasis has moved towards large-scale residential schemes. Of these the most important is the site behind Chesil Street and adjoining Bridge Street, at present occupied by an Engineering Works, where a redevelopment involving 70 residential, and 5 office, units is proposed.
The Trust arranged a presentation in April, following which it submitted detailed comments. Whilst giving due credit to the architects for a clever and imaginative design, we were strongly critical of the proposals on the grounds of excessive density for this part of the City and the bulk and height of the building which will be totally out of scale with its neighbours. We also deplored the loss of the existing Maltings Building.
Sadly, we have to record that very shortly after the presentation, we learned that the plans had been approved. We feel, and have expressed this view to the Planning Authority, that adequate time and publicity was not given for public opinion to be consulted on a development which will have a major impact, both visual and environmental, on this part of the City. The Trust has always felt that the multi-storey car park was too high and has repeatedly asked for further screening to be undertaken to the top deck. This concern has been justified by the fact that the multi-storey car park has opened the door to this development, which in turn will invite applications for further out-of-scale development in Winchester. The Trust considers this trend to be a serious threat to the character of the City.
After what can only be regarded as a defeat, it is pleasing to record that a proposal to erect a block of flats in Tower Street which we regarded as an over-development, was rejected, and also that a more acceptable scheme for Edgar Road has been submitted.
An application to demolish five very small shops in Market Street and to replace them with three slightly larger ones, caused considerable public concern and was turned down. The Trust felt unable to oppose the application on architectural grounds, but shares the public concern at the steady loss of small shop premises in the Central Area, and will approach the owners on the subject should a new application be submitted.
We have continued our policy of arranging for presentations by the architects where schemes are likely to be controversial. In addition to the Chesil Street scheme, mentioned above, a presentation took place of the proposals to redevelop the Henly Garage site in St. Swithun Street and the discussion led to important improvements in the design. Shopfronts, referred to in last year's Report, continue to be a matter of constant vigilance and concern, and although by no means satisfied with the position, we believe that some progress has been made. In one instance a national chain responded to a request from the Trust by sending a representative to Winchester to discuss our criticisms.