Development Control Committee - TrustNews April 1986
The Committee's principal task is to study the weekly lists of planning applications and present the Trust's view to the City Council. We criticise a proposal, often in strong terms, either because it is inappropriate to its intended purpose or surroundings, or perhaps for the inadequacy of its design. However, we also comment favourably when praise seems called for. During the last quarter of 1985, the Committee commented on 83 out of 130 planning applications, and a word of thanks must go to the Leaders of the two Panels, Frank Chippindale and John Kingdon.
Major development proposals within the City will usually involve the Trust in more than a straightforward comment. A recent example has been the residential and office plans for the corner of Chesil Street and Bridge Street in front of the new multistorey car park. On learning that the developers' plans had changed since first being presented to the Trust, a second presentation by the architects was arranged. This resulted in further comments being sent to the City Planning Department. The new buildings are more modest than those originally proposed and will include retirement homes. A further example has been the retirement homes scheme now under construction at the corner of St. Thomas Street and St. Swithun Street. Plans for this development were revised following a change of architect. There were fears that the height of the new building might now be greater than that already approved, to the embarrassment of neighbouring residents. The Commitee approached the City Council about this and discussions are still continuing.
Finally, the Committee takes an interest in appeals to the Department of the Environment against planning decisions by the City Council. Recently these have been increasing in frequency, and each case poses questions as to whether and how the Trust should become involved. Most recent appeals have led to our intervention on the side of the City Council, which generally welcomes our support. There are two types of appeal: one where points may be made in writing only; the other type leading to a Public Inquiry at the Guildhall. Recently written comments have been sent to the Department of the Environment against a proposal for advertising hoardings on the central car park wall of the Bingo Hall, and office development plans for 16 City Road.
The Trust attended a 3-day Public Inquiry into development proposals by the present supermarket owners of the old Hampshire Club premises in Southgate Street. This was an appeal against the City Council's refusal to allow the building to be completely re-vamped as offices with an enlarged car park at the back on St. Thomas Passage. The corporate owners imported from London a large team of consultants, headed by a barrister, with no knowledge of Winchester or its problems, which proceeded to tell our elected representatives - the City Council - how matters should be arranged here with regard to office development, car parking and so forth. Their argument was based almost entirely on so-called precedent: if a single noteworthy building - the Crown Hotel was cited endlessly - was replaced in the past by offices, then permission for the Hampshire Club to become offices now could not be refused. Furthermore, since many Southgate Street houses had already been turned into offices, no similar application in that street could ever be refused. The implications of this type of argument are alarming, to say the least, since it removes from the citizenry all prospect of managing their own local affairs. No longer, on this basis, could we decide to attract a particular type of business into winchester - and then call a halt when we had attracted enough. The Trust spoke forcibly in support of the City Council and of numbers of local residents who had objected especially to the prospect of increased traffic in St. Thomas Passage.
We have since learnt that two other major Inquiries; one dealing with the area between Staple Gardens and Tower Street; the other concerning the United Church in Jewry Street, are being held over pending the outcome of the Southgate Street Inquiry.
It is clear to this Committee that the success of our efforts on behalf of the Trust and all other residents of Winchester depends to a large extent on the existence of good relations with the City Council, which must be prepared to listen to our comments and take them into account. Happily, this relationship is at present good - and improving. We are grateful to the Director of Planning and all his staff for their constant advice and help.
Finally, the Development Control Committee will be delighted to hear at any time from any Trust member who may have questions or suggestions concerning planning applications in Winchester.