Development Control - Trust Annual Report 1989
Lt. Colonel G P Burnett decided last year to stand down as Chairman of the Development Control Committee and was succeeded by Jeffrey Smith. Mrs Shione Carden acts as Secretary. We are indeed grateful to George Burnett for running this very important side of the Trust's activities for several years.
We now have two panels which meet at the City offices on alternate weeks and examine and make comments on all Planning Applications in the City area.
In the case of important applications, the Trust frequently asks the architect to give a presentation and several of these have taken place during the year - a recent example being the development contemplated in the Marston's Brewery site.
Amongst other important applications during the year have been the Cannon Cinema Site in North Walls (we objected to the first scheme which was submitted), Woolworths (a scheme for demolition and replacement by seven shops) and a 120 bedroom Hotel on the Alresford Road (application subsequently withdrawn). In general, we liked the scheme for the Marston's Brewery site and were glad that all the important historic features are to be protected, including the Roman Vallum which could well have been lost in a more comprehensive development. We regret, however, that the Bowling Clubhouse will go.
We were disappointed that the City rejected a scheme for 75 to 79 Eastgate Street which would have involved the preservation of two small early Victorian town houses, but at least the final scheme is better than the original one to which the Trust objected.
The Trust was represented at a Public Inquiry which considered an appeal against the City Council's decision to refuse a planning application for 30 houses at Manor Farm, Pitt (in addition to a golf course and country club for which permission had been granted). The Trust supported the City and the Inspector turned down the appeal. This was satisfactory but the Trust is concerned at the pressure put on City Councils both as regards time and money, by developers who lose no opportunity of appealing against adverse planning decisions when the stakes are high.
The Trust does not always see eye to eye with the City Council on planning matters (it would be strange if we did) but we do recognise the pressure on the Planning Committee and its officers, particularly at a time when so much building is going on. One frequently hears it said that Winchester is changing fast, with the implication, spoken or unspoken, that the changes invariably are for the worse. This is not our impression and indeed we consider that some very good buildings (as well as some mediocre ones) are going up in Winchester and that the City's Planning Committee deserves credit for maintaining standards. This we think is demonstrated by the past entries for the bi-annual Winchester Preservation Trust Award scheme. Award winners of the 1989 scheme will be announced at the Annual General Meeting and an exhibition of past and present entries will be held at the Heritage Centre in 1990.
A constant concern of the Trust is the disappearance and/or decay of old buildings of architectural merit (all too often, we regret to say, owned by the City). We were relieved to see that Abbotts Barton Farmhouse, after years of neglect, has been sold by the City to an owner who is undertaking a highly sympathetic restoration. We were indignant that work commenced on the demolition of No 1 Staple Gardens (not owned by the City) in advance of any demolition permission being granted by the City Council and we protested vigorously to the City - (the building, admittedly as a result of years of neglect, was beyond saving otherwise a prosecution might have been involved). We have drawn up a list of buildings which might be endangered through neglect and it would be useful if members could let us know if cases come to their notice.
The Trust was concerned about alterations to the interior of 1 Bridge Street, a Listed building, and made representations to the City Council. We were relieved to learn that following an inspection by the Department of the Environment, the main features of the interior are to be preserved.
On the initiative of the Trust, Grade II Listings were obtained for the Rising Sun Public House and the Pagoda, St James Lane and the medieval bridge at Northgate as well as for the Heritage Centre.