{"id":938,"date":"2020-10-05T17:56:36","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T16:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bournemouthcivicsociety.org.uk\/?p=938"},"modified":"2020-10-05T17:56:36","modified_gmt":"2020-10-05T16:56:36","slug":"planning-applications-august-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bournemouthcivicsociety.org.uk\/comments-on-planning-applications\/planning-applications-august-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning Applications August 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

PLANNING\u00a0 APPLICATIONS\u00a0 RECEIVED\u00a0 BY\u00a0 THE\u00a0 BOURNEMOUTH\u00a0 PLANNING\u00a0 DEPARTMENT\u00a0 DURING\u00a0 AUGUST\u00a0 2020 \u2013 A\u00a0 CRITIQUE BY\u00a0 JOHN\u00a0 SOANE,\u00a0 BUILT\u00a0 ENVIRONMENT\u00a0 CONSULTANT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TO\u00a0 THE\u00a0 BOURNEMOUTH\u00a0 CIVIC\u00a0 SOCIETY<\/strong><\/p>\n

866 Ringwood Road (oppositeRingwood Road Retail Park )\u00a0 Ref. No.\u00a0 7-2020-2318-F<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to construct two pairs of two storied semi-detached houses on a double site at present occupied by a mid-twentieth century bungalow.\u00a0\u00a0 The built foot prints of each block would be approximately the same dimensions of the adjacent bungalows and the form and mass of both would be that of an inter war suburban family house with hipped roofs and gables.\u00a0 There would be rectangular windows\u00a0 and two entrances on the ground floor and modernist, projecting square shaped windows above in the vicinity of contrasting, very small square lights, asymmetrically positioned under both gables.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0 Societyfeels that the general appearance of the principal elevation which is impaired considerably by the eclectic\u00a0 appearance of the fenestration\u00a0 appears unimaginative and clumsy. \u00a0Moreover although there are several two storey houses in the area \u00a0we agree with local comment that the new development is designed at too great a scale in relation to the great majority of bungalows that make up the neighbouring townscape.\u00a0 A feeling was also expressed that the higher density of the proposed houses would undermine the established character of the area which would include inadequate parking provision.<\/p>\n

The Society suggests that if\u00a0 redevelopment on this site is to take place it should be on a smaller scale and be designed more in keeping with the mid twentieth century architecture nearby. We strongly believe thatthere must be a considerable\u00a0 improvement of architectural form in comparison with the some what simplistic justification of what is proposed in the present design statement. Therefore since this application does not fully comply with the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan the Society suggests that it be deferred for further discussion and improvement .<\/p>\n

69-71 BoscombeOvercliff Drive Ref. No. 7-2020-12924-A<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to construct two, \u00a0three\/four \u00a0storey blocks of seven flats in modernist style on the site of two existing \u00a0twentieth century structures of no exceptional architectural quality but at the same time more in keeping with the original Art Deco\/Arts and Crafts architectural style of the BoscombeOvercliff.<\/p>\n

The built footprint of\u00a0 whatis proposed would be at least twice the size of the existing footprint and would consist of two large rectangular concrete boxes with an indented penthouse story above<\/p>\n

Each storey on the front elevations would consist of vertical glass panels and French Windows fronted by prominent glass balconies and asymmetrically divided up.\u00a0 The rear elevation would encompass amore regular structure of vertical fenestration while the long side elevations would consist of mainly wall with two narrow lighting strips through the three main storeys.<\/p>\n

The Society\u00a0 is of the opinion that the entire design \u2013 which looks backwards to the passe modernist era of the 1960\u2019s\/1970\u2019s \u2013 is very banal, so often repeated and instantly forgettable with no aesthetic originality whatsoever.<\/p>\n

However we think it is a sign of the times that apart from certain technical and utilitarian objections, there were no comments by local opinion about the aesthetic and design failings of the new development.\u00a0 It seems to us that there is an increasing\u00a0 acceptance of and perhaps a feeling of fait a compleof the gradual replacement of the more traditional, residential structures of the early Twentieth\u00a0 Century along the BoscombeOvercliffby modern blocks of flats in the\u00a0 international seaside style.<\/p>\n

However for the sake of maintaining reasonably competent architectural standards across Bournemouth, we most earnestly request the Planning Department to insist on general design improvements to what is now proposed for this site.\u00a0 We think that the principal front could be made more symmetrical and less angular at the corner extremities. Window shapes could be made more individual and less looking as if they have originated from an assembly line; also the side walls of the penthouse could be slightly canted along the long sides at a steep angle.<\/p>\n

Consequently, if this development is to go ahead, the Society feels that since this application falls short of proper compliance with the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be deferred for further\u00a0 discussion and improvement .<\/p>\n

20 Ashley Road, Boscombe\/behind 77 HavilandRoad\u00a0 Ref. No. 7-2020-12708-B <\/strong><\/p>\n

So far as can be deduced from the enclosed plans, this is an application to convert an existing early twentieth centuryTudor style two storey building recently used as a restaurant with a maisonette above into four flats; three on the ground floor and one on the floor above.\u00a0 There would be no major external alterations, but the internal alterations would result in quite small flats. The new flat incorporating 77 Haviland Road would appear to be situated behind this former shop into a corner of the site which is very closely encroached upon by adjacent buildings. A more spacious flat would be created out of the maisonette on the first floor.<\/p>\n

The Society is of the opinion that here is yet another example of an attempt to try and create sub standard residential accommodation at ground floor level in retail buildings that were never designed for such a use.\u00a0 The flats would be restricted in size and\u00a0 there would be no private outdoor space\u00a0 in a noisy commercial environment.<\/p>\n

Therefore we would ask the Planning Department to put a permanent stop to this unseemly planning practice in the older residential neighbourhoods of Bournemouth, whereby unscrupulous \u00a0attempts are made \u00a0to jam in inferior accommodation on totally unsuitable pieces of landwithin and between existing buildings.\u00a0\u00a0 Moreover we also think that the practice of turning shops into flats is not an appropriate planning idea and should be stopped. More original\u00a0 alternative uses should be found instead. Consequently because this application in no way conforms to the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, the Society feel it should be refused.<\/p>\n

23-31 Richmond Hill\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-10546-Q<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to create72\u00a0 one and two bedroom flats out of the relatively modern, twentieth century office block known as Richmond House. Up to five, general purpose\/office suites would also be created on the ground floor.\u00a0 There would be no external alterations.<\/p>\n

In view of the general retreat from office work within developed economies in recent years , now much accelerated by changes in working patterns as a result of the coronavirus emergency , the Society feel that the imaginative conversion of redundant office\u00a0 accommodation is an inevitable trend and given the right circumstances \u00a0should be pursued in Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

However in respect to Richmond House whilst we support the principle of a change of use to residential use, we share the view of local opinion that the proposed large number of relatively small flats would be likely to increase anti social behaviour which is already prevalent at times in the adjacent Yelverton Road.\u00a0 We would therefore suggest that a far better solution would be a reduction in the total number of flats to create more spacious accommodation at a better standard.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the Society feel that since this application does not fully comply with the\u00a0 townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be deferred for further discussion and improvement.<\/p>\n

27-28 Westover Road \u2013 Former ABC \u00a0Cinema\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 7-2020-1685<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an extensive outline application for the rehabilitation of the former Westover Cinema in Westover Road in order to create 67 flats, commercial floor space at ground floor level, a restaurant, assembly and leisure areas and 48 car parking spaces. It is the latest application after two earlier failed attempts to redevelop the same site.<\/p>\n

The main elements of the proposal are as follows:-<\/p>\n