Planning Appraisal Group - TrustNews Sep 19
During May, June and July our panels reviewed 119 applications of which we objected to 20 which although quite a large number is still a fairly low proportion of the applications reviewed. Sometimes we object simply because the applicant has not supplied sufficient information for any sensible comment to be made and although we look at all the applications, we tend not to comment on those which are for relatively minor modifications.
We have noticed that the trend, which started on Chilbolton Avenue with developers buying up plots, demolishing the existing house and replacing with much denser development, has now spread across the City. Sometimes the properties being demolished have considerable architectural merit and sometimes they do not. As there is currently no local list of non-designated (i.e. non-listed) buildings which nonetheless are considered to be heritage assets we have to rely on the vigilance of the public and of the City Historic Environment officers to notice when a potentially significant building is threatened with demolition; this cannot always be prevented, but the more lead time there is the more time there is for an appropriate appraisal and action if it is felt necessary. We hope to work more closely with Historic Environment officers to develop at least an informal list of non-designated heritage assets since developing a formal Local List can be a lengthy and potentially expensive process. We are grateful to those who have recently informed us of properties (Beechwood, Worthy Lane, and Brendon House, Park Road) threatened in this way. Beechwood was designed by John Colson senior (1820-95), who was the Cathedral architect for forty years, and Brendon House by his son John Colson junior.
The application to demolish Prospect House (the former stationmaster's house at Chesil Station, mentioned in the last issue of TrustNews) went to the mid-August Planning Committee with a recommendation for refusal, and was refused. The application for 49 Stoney Lane has also been refused. Along with many others we have strongly objected to the proposed McCarthy & Stone development of an extra care/assisted living facility in Weeke (1-4 Woodpeckers Drive). This is not because we are in general opposed to the development of such much needed facilities but on grounds to do with the nature of this speciļ¬c development which include overdevelopment of the site and inadequate parking provision; this seems to be something of a pattern with this company.
As you may or may not have noticed, the Trust is now publishing the weekly list of planning applications which affect Winchester Town on its website, with the hope that members will take a look and use WCC's planning website to comment on any application that they happen to know something about. This is the list that goes to our weekly panels for review, which happens on a Thursday morning. We do not get the list (which is for the whole Winchester District) until the afternoon of the preceding Wednesday, so you can see that the time-line is quite tight. Any information you might wish to pass to the reviewing panel would have to reach the Secretary by mid-day on the Monday after the list is published.
WCC has reported its statistics on planning appeals 1 July - 31 March 2019 during which time 37 appeals were received. Note that this covers the Winchester District not just Winchester Town. Of these 11 (30%) were allowed, 25 (67%) dismissed and one reversed a planning permission (3%). 8 applications were made for costs. 6 of these were refused, one was dismissed and one was allowed.
Only 7 of the appeals concerned Winchester Town. One was a TPO which allowed a tree to be felled on Bereweeke Road. One was about signage on a listed building (dismissed), and one was for a telecom site (allowed). The student development on Greenhill Road was allowed on appeal. The other 3 for Winchester Town (Dashwood House, 24 Quarry Road and 8 Grosvenor Drive) were all dismissed.
Members and Public Comments
The Trust welcomes informative comments from local people, but must avoid being influenced by vested interests or personal matters. Individuals who believe their interests are being threatened by proposed schemes are advised to contact their Ward Councillors, who have more influence over such matters. If you would like to see details of Trust objections to planning applications and their fate, please go to the monthly PAG reports on our website.