Linden Homes' scheme for 200 flats and some offices on the New College site off the Avenue was given approval this evening. The Planning Panel was split 4-2 on the decision, which was taken at half past six, three and a half hours after the item was due to be considered on the planning agenda.
I along with a number of concerned residents spoke at the meeting. Concerns about parking, over development and design of the buildings (which resemble Lego bricks) were knocked back by councillors in the teeth of local opposition.
The development goes against the recently adopted council policy of providing more family housing. Despite councillors of all parties voting in September to ensure that at least 30% of new developments are family houses, Lib Dem and Labour councillors voted to approve the Linden scheme which includes 91% flats.
On the positive side Linden Homes agreed to put the new development on Combined Heat and Power.
Showing posts with label New College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New College. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Planning Meeting - 6th November
Next Tuesday's planning panel meeting has some very important and controversial applications on the agenda, including the New College Linden Homes development and also IKEA. Click HERE for a full list of applications.
New College
This is a proposal for 200+ flats and commercial units on the old La Santa Union Site.
I have commented on this application previously and objected on a number of grounds.
I am very concerned about this proposed development which once again is flats, flats, flats and very little family housing. This is despite full council recently agreeing to new strict family housing planning policies.
Also I am concerned that only minimal efforts have been made to make the proposed development environmentally sound and sustainable. I would very much like to see any development on the site link into the city's combined heat and power (CHP) station or provide on site CHP and am very disappointed that Linden rejected this idea. Again this is despite the clear direction of the council to expand CHP across the city.
The New College Application will be heard on Tuesday at 3pm at the Civic Centre. Anyone can go along to the meeting.
New College
This is a proposal for 200+ flats and commercial units on the old La Santa Union Site.
I have commented on this application previously and objected on a number of grounds.
I am very concerned about this proposed development which once again is flats, flats, flats and very little family housing. This is despite full council recently agreeing to new strict family housing planning policies.
Also I am concerned that only minimal efforts have been made to make the proposed development environmentally sound and sustainable. I would very much like to see any development on the site link into the city's combined heat and power (CHP) station or provide on site CHP and am very disappointed that Linden rejected this idea. Again this is despite the clear direction of the council to expand CHP across the city.
The New College Application will be heard on Tuesday at 3pm at the Civic Centre. Anyone can go along to the meeting.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
No To New College Development Plans
I have written and formally objected to Linden Homes' plans to develop the former New College / La Sante Union site.
Linden have submitted 7 planning applications which include proposals for 200+ flats.
I wrote objecting to Linden's plans when they first came to light at their presentation to residents back in February. Click HERE for details of my letter to Linden and HERE for their reply.
I have objected on a number of grounds:
1. Firstly the design is totally out of keeping with the character of the local area, which is designated a conservation area.
2. Secondly I am concerned that only minimal efforts have been made to make the proposed development environmentally sound and sustainable. I would very much like to see any development on the site link into the city's combined heat and power station and was disappointed that Linden rejected this idea.
3. Thirdly I am concerned that there are too many flats and not enough family housing.
4. Finally inadequte parking will lead to increased parking pressure on the surrounding area.
Click HERE for the recent Daily Echo story on this.
Linden have submitted 7 planning applications which include proposals for 200+ flats.
I wrote objecting to Linden's plans when they first came to light at their presentation to residents back in February. Click HERE for details of my letter to Linden and HERE for their reply.
I have objected on a number of grounds:
1. Firstly the design is totally out of keeping with the character of the local area, which is designated a conservation area.
2. Secondly I am concerned that only minimal efforts have been made to make the proposed development environmentally sound and sustainable. I would very much like to see any development on the site link into the city's combined heat and power station and was disappointed that Linden rejected this idea.
3. Thirdly I am concerned that there are too many flats and not enough family housing.
4. Finally inadequte parking will lead to increased parking pressure on the surrounding area.
Click HERE for the recent Daily Echo story on this.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
New College Update
I recently posted on Linden Homes plans to redevelop the New College site on the Avenue. Click HERE for earlier post.
I wrote to Linden with a number of objections. I have reproduced their reply below.
I am still very unhappy with the plans which are not in keeping with the area.
Councillor J Moulton
C/o Members Room
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO15 7LY
22 March 2007
Dear Councillor Moulton
Proposed Redevelopment of the New College Site, The Avenue
Thank you for your email. Apologies for the delay in responding to you, however I hope this letter answers most of your questions.
In respect of the matters that you highlighted in your recent email, I will respond in the order that you raised them:
1. Traffic congestion. As with all planning applications of this magnitude, we are to produce plans
and a traffic assessment which satisfies the local highway authority. We have been in liaison with
the highways officers at the city council, to date no concerns have been raised. Importantly, the
local road network is sufficient to cope. Linden is also keen to stress that the residential
redevelopment of this site would achieve a decrease in the level of traffic generated with vehicle
movements occurring at the opposite times of the day to that of the previous educational use.
2. Parking. You will be aware that there is presently a strict ceiling to the amount of parking that
can be provided within new developments, which is a government initiative to reduce reliance on cars and promote the use of public transport. Importantly, I can confirm that the level of parking proposed for the scheme accords with current local planning guidance. However, Linden does recognise that the current local plan policy is under review and, if necessary, is able to increase the current level of parking provision on site. It is further worthy to note the site’s sustainable location close to good public transport points. Linden will do what they can to reduce disruption to surrounding roads.
3. Design. The design for the proposed scheme has evolved as a result of the site’s constraints,
namely the existing trees and the matter of the two conservation areas alongside the listed
buildings in Rockstone Place. Linden has, therefore, looked to design the proposed new dwellings
in a contemporary and sympathetic manner, working to ensure that the overall development will both protect and enhance the Avenue and Carlton Road Conservation Areas. It is also important to stress that over the last few months council officers have been involved with the progression of the scheme’s design and such discussions will continue between both parties over the coming weeks.
4. Combined Heat and Power. Linden has assessed the usage of the CHP plant and has found
that the size of the site and its former development renders the inclusion of this element unviable. However, all the properties would be constructed to meet, at the minimum, the EcoHomes Very Good rating. Importantly, Linden is also determined to ensure that this development creates new benchmarks in terms of sustainable design when compared to other developments in the City.
I hope these help to answer your questions, however please do give me a call on the project’s dedicated information line - 0800 298 7040, if you would like to discuss the points raised further.
Yours sincerely
For and on behalf of Linden Homes Southern
I wrote to Linden with a number of objections. I have reproduced their reply below.
I am still very unhappy with the plans which are not in keeping with the area.
Councillor J Moulton
C/o Members Room
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO15 7LY
22 March 2007
Dear Councillor Moulton
Proposed Redevelopment of the New College Site, The Avenue
Thank you for your email. Apologies for the delay in responding to you, however I hope this letter answers most of your questions.
In respect of the matters that you highlighted in your recent email, I will respond in the order that you raised them:
1. Traffic congestion. As with all planning applications of this magnitude, we are to produce plans
and a traffic assessment which satisfies the local highway authority. We have been in liaison with
the highways officers at the city council, to date no concerns have been raised. Importantly, the
local road network is sufficient to cope. Linden is also keen to stress that the residential
redevelopment of this site would achieve a decrease in the level of traffic generated with vehicle
movements occurring at the opposite times of the day to that of the previous educational use.
2. Parking. You will be aware that there is presently a strict ceiling to the amount of parking that
can be provided within new developments, which is a government initiative to reduce reliance on cars and promote the use of public transport. Importantly, I can confirm that the level of parking proposed for the scheme accords with current local planning guidance. However, Linden does recognise that the current local plan policy is under review and, if necessary, is able to increase the current level of parking provision on site. It is further worthy to note the site’s sustainable location close to good public transport points. Linden will do what they can to reduce disruption to surrounding roads.
3. Design. The design for the proposed scheme has evolved as a result of the site’s constraints,
namely the existing trees and the matter of the two conservation areas alongside the listed
buildings in Rockstone Place. Linden has, therefore, looked to design the proposed new dwellings
in a contemporary and sympathetic manner, working to ensure that the overall development will both protect and enhance the Avenue and Carlton Road Conservation Areas. It is also important to stress that over the last few months council officers have been involved with the progression of the scheme’s design and such discussions will continue between both parties over the coming weeks.
4. Combined Heat and Power. Linden has assessed the usage of the CHP plant and has found
that the size of the site and its former development renders the inclusion of this element unviable. However, all the properties would be constructed to meet, at the minimum, the EcoHomes Very Good rating. Importantly, Linden is also determined to ensure that this development creates new benchmarks in terms of sustainable design when compared to other developments in the City.
I hope these help to answer your questions, however please do give me a call on the project’s dedicated information line - 0800 298 7040, if you would like to discuss the points raised further.
Yours sincerely
For and on behalf of Linden Homes Southern
Saturday, March 03, 2007
New College Development Plans
Last night I went to a roadshow organised by Linden Homes about their Plans for developing the former New College Site (La Sainte Union) on the Avenue / corner of Archers Road. Their plans are for large numbers of flats, a few houses, some commercial offices and some sheltered housing.
I met a number of local residents and spoke with Linden Homes and their architects. No formal planning application has been submitted yet and so the plans are still in draft form.
However based on what I have seen so far I have some concerns.
1. Traffic Congestion. Archers Road is terribly congested already. A new development will mean many more vehicles coming and going. Planning permission was recently granted for large numbers of flats the other side of Archers Road on the old nurses / social services site. The proposed new development for New College has 2 points of access on to Archers Road.
2. Parking. If insufficient parking is provided it will mean more cars clogging up the surrounding streets. I was pleased to see that the developer is considering underground parking under the flats and 3 story townhouses with a garage on the bottom level. I would like to see the maximum amount of parking if the development does go ahead.
3. Design. The site is in the Avenue Conservation Area and it borders another conservation area. The developers are looking to protect some of the old buildings however the new buildings that they propose are of a very contemporary design (think Ocean Village). In my mind a development that is in keeping means that the new buildings look similar to existing ones rather than looking completely different.
4. Combined Heat and Power. There is CHP plans in the city centre (the big red building near Toys R US). This is gas turbine power station (previously a geo thermal power station) that heats most of Northern Above Bar. It is considerably more efficient the normal means of providing heat and power and therefore more environmental. A lot of new housing developments in the city centre have linked into the CHP network. Apparently Linden don't intend to use CHP for this development. I have asked why as it seems worthy of proper consideration.
I have mentioned all the above points to Linden Homes and will follow it up with a letter to them.
There is another Roadshow this morning at New College, for those that didn't get a chance to have a look yesterday.
I met a number of local residents and spoke with Linden Homes and their architects. No formal planning application has been submitted yet and so the plans are still in draft form.
However based on what I have seen so far I have some concerns.
1. Traffic Congestion. Archers Road is terribly congested already. A new development will mean many more vehicles coming and going. Planning permission was recently granted for large numbers of flats the other side of Archers Road on the old nurses / social services site. The proposed new development for New College has 2 points of access on to Archers Road.
2. Parking. If insufficient parking is provided it will mean more cars clogging up the surrounding streets. I was pleased to see that the developer is considering underground parking under the flats and 3 story townhouses with a garage on the bottom level. I would like to see the maximum amount of parking if the development does go ahead.
3. Design. The site is in the Avenue Conservation Area and it borders another conservation area. The developers are looking to protect some of the old buildings however the new buildings that they propose are of a very contemporary design (think Ocean Village). In my mind a development that is in keeping means that the new buildings look similar to existing ones rather than looking completely different.
4. Combined Heat and Power. There is CHP plans in the city centre (the big red building near Toys R US). This is gas turbine power station (previously a geo thermal power station) that heats most of Northern Above Bar. It is considerably more efficient the normal means of providing heat and power and therefore more environmental. A lot of new housing developments in the city centre have linked into the CHP network. Apparently Linden don't intend to use CHP for this development. I have asked why as it seems worthy of proper consideration.
I have mentioned all the above points to Linden Homes and will follow it up with a letter to them.
There is another Roadshow this morning at New College, for those that didn't get a chance to have a look yesterday.
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