Planning Appraisal Group - TrustNews Sept 13
The only major development that we have seen recently is the proposal to build 11 dwellings following the demolition of Woolverston, Bereweeke Road, a site that has already caused considerable local concern because of the felling of boundary trees that was reported in the last TrustNews. The landscape scheme made no effort to replace them and the design and scale of the proposed housing seemed very inappropriate for the site. We did not feel that a development that included a 5-bedroom, a 7-bedroom and three 6-bedroom houses would meet Winchester's housing requirements in a satisfactory manner, and suggested that in their stead there should be some 4-bedroom dwellings. We also felt that the standard suburban layout would seem cramped and result in gardens that would be too small for the larger houses, which had a style that would usually be set in more spacious surroundings. Another concern was the additional traffic that could be generated by the residents using the 46 new bedrooms, some of which would of course be double. It will come as no surprise that we objected to this proposal.
A new scheme for 116 Christchurch Road proposed four dwellings instead of the six that had been refused previously. Although reduced in number, we still felt it would constitute overdevelopment of a site located in an area where larger houses in generous plots predominate and we therefore objected. It was claimed that the three dwellings along the frontage looked like a single house, but we considered that the subdivision of the front gardens and the changes of level did not support this. We were also concerned about the garage block at the rear of the garden, feeling that late-night parking could disturb those living in the 2-bedroom studio above the garages, accommodation that had the added disadvantage of having first-floor windows that opened only onto the railway embankment behind.
A large number of the applications we saw related to one of our pet hates: the so-called dormer or, more accurately, shed on the roof. The architectural description of a dormer is “A window placed vertically in a sloping roof and with a roof of its own. The name derives from the fact that it usually serves sleeping quarters. " While their use may agree with this definition, nine times out of ten their form is nothing at all similar-apart from the fact that they have a roof of their own - usually being a large box-like structure that stretches the whole width of the rear roof slope. They are particularly intrusive when the house is part of a terrace or is semi-detached, and we continue to object (not always with the result we hope for) to such proposals in various locations such as St Faith's Road, Greenhill Road and Elm Road, to name but a few.
The Trust has had several interesting pre-application presentations or discussions, something we very much appreciate at this early stage in the process. The schemes were for the refurbishment of Wellington House & 78/79 Kingsgate Street for residential use, a new dwelling in the garden of Lommedal, Milnthorpe Lane, and an exploration of how to make use of some semi-derelict land hiding behind 21-24 The Square, which was especially interesting because we were able to visit the site.
The holiday season has not been helping the Planning Department, which seems to be having some problems recording new applications and their decisions without any delays. We understand that a recruitment drive is in the offing.
The Planning Appraisal Group is finding itself in a similar situation, as several reserve panellists have recently moved away or cannot continue. So if any members would like to take part in this important component of the Trust’s activities, please let us know. We have a number of regular weekly panel members, but they do occasionally go away on holiday or are ill - or even have a social engagement! - and we need more people to act as reservists to fill in for the occasional missing panel member. There is an architect on each panel, so no great planning knowledge is necessary; all that is required is enthusiasm, a wish to preserve the character of Winchester and being prepared to spend some of the morning at the Planning Office, starting at 9.30am on a Thursday. Please don’t feel shy about coming forward if you would like to help — we need you!