{"id":964,"date":"2021-02-15T17:34:40","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T17:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bournemouthcivicsociety.org.uk\/?p=964"},"modified":"2021-02-15T17:34:40","modified_gmt":"2021-02-15T17:34:40","slug":"planning-applications-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bournemouthcivicsociety.org.uk\/comments-on-planning-applications\/planning-applications-december-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning Applications December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

81 Seabourne Road, Southbourne\u00a0\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-1589-P<\/strong><\/p>\n

This an application to construct a three storey block of nine flats on the site of a modern house and a disused warehouse.\u00a0 The built foot print would be in the shape of three interconnecting\u00a0 rectangles; a long one facing the road\u00a0 and two shorter ones , each at right angles to each other \u00a0forming a mini courtyard.\u00a0 There would be a prominent Mansard\u00a0 roof with dormers.\u00a0 Although the general shape of the new building would be symmetrical, fenestration would be asymmetrical.\u00a0 On the principal elevation, this would consist of alternative sections of vertical modern windows and integrated French windows with Juliet balconies. The main rear elevation would be in the form of a simpler treatment of the front, car parking would be to the rear of the site.<\/p>\n

Although the Society acknowledge that the general proportions of the new structure are compatible with the adjacent townscape,\u00a0 the irregular window positioning \u00a0of the latter make it visually at odds with the comprehensive, regular fenestration pattern of the neighbouring buildings.\u00a0\u00a0 We would suggest a much more balanced incorporation of conventional windows and balconied French windows to march the general balance of the main structure.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the Society have decided that since this applications falls short of the townscape policies of the Bournemouth local plan, it should be deferred for further discussion and improvement.<\/p>\n

4 Maclaren Road,\u00a0 Redhill\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-9553-J<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to construct a\u00a0 chalet bungalow on a long narrow site between larger, more rectangular sites containing other bungalows.\u00a0 The built foot print would take up a considerable part of the area and would be aligned extremely close to the long boundary walls.\u00a0 One short elevation would contain bay windows and the other\u00a0 French windows.<\/p>\n

The Society is of the opinion that here is one more example of a new residential development being squeezed\u00a0 onto a totally inadequately sized plot and against any attempt to adequately maintain a proper ratio between built and unbuilt space –\u00a0 which is the controlling design maxim of the majority of the historical residential neighbourhoods in Bournemouth. Therefore we feel that since this application in no way fulfills \u00a0the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be refused.<\/p>\n

31 East Way, Charminster\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-27950<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to extend an existing two storey \u00a0twentieth century house with rectangular windows and centrally porched entrance\u00a0 in order to create a pair of semi-detached houses in the same general style but without an integrated architectural design for the principal elevation. The Society\u00a0 observe that the doorway of the new extended fa\u00e7ade does not exactly co-ordinate with the first floor window above. On the rear fa\u00e7ade there is a somewhat better attempt at an overall design but the effect is reduced by the poor quality of design of the first floor windows. We agree with the local inhabitants in that the \u00a0new structure is too large for the site and designed on too great a scale for the adjacent neighbourhood.\u00a0 Indeed it has been suggested whether or not such an unimaginative\u00a0 development \u00a0is actually necessary in the existing urban context.\u00a0 Under the circumstances, the Society has concluded that since this proposal does not comply with the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be refused.<\/p>\n

46 Kimberley Road, Southbourne\u00a0 \u00a0Ref.\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-3834-H<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to develop part of a large site near the junction with Castlemain Avenue where on the south west part of the site a standard early twentieth century villa has been considerably expanded to create three flats.\u00a0 The new dwelling\u00a0 would be designed in the style of an interwar suburban family house. The principal two storey elevation would include a substantial gabled projection merging into a prominent hipped roof. Apart from a recessed main entrance there would be two symmetrically positioned, quadruple, casement windows.\u00a0\u00a0 The Society\u00a0 agrees\u00a0 with local opinion that when the existing large building on the site is taken into account, the addition of the new structure would amount to excessive over development of the site \u00a0leading to parking problems and\u00a0 loss of privacy and sunlight from too close boundary walls. Consequently, we have decided that since this proposal does not keep to the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be refused.<\/p>\n

284 Holdenhurst Road (near Stanley Road )\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-17880-D\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to turn a twentieth century shop into what amounts to a studio flat.\u00a0 There would be no window in the sleeping recess and the only light for the living-cum-dining area would come from a small casement window built on the site of the original shop window.\u00a0 The Society feels strongly that apart from inadequate light and negligible private outside space, the noisy context of the accommodation would make it totally unsuitable for residential purposes.\u00a0 We ask the Planning\u00a0 Department to initiate policies making it impossible for such speculative \u00a0applications, ever to succeed.\u00a0 Therefore we are strongly of the opinion that on account of the inability of this proposal to comply with the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be refused.<\/p>\n

61 Howeth Road, Ensbury Park\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-5135-D<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to construct three dwelling houses (one pair of semi-detached houses on the street and one separate one to the rear ) on a corner double plot originally occupied by a single property.\u00a0\u00a0 The new structure would be designed in the suburban\u00a0 Arts and Crafts style with single or double \u00a0bay windows, casement windows and prominent hipped roofs.\u00a0 The Society think that the general design of the new houses is compatible with the interwar epoch in which this residential neighbourhood was built;\u00a0 however we feel that three houses on this site would create an excessive density of occupation and therefore we think that the rear property should be removed. Consequently we have concluded that because this application does not respect the townscape policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan, it should be refused.<\/p>\n

Former Highways Depot, Cambridge Road<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 A coloured illustration showing how the new proposals could look has been sent to us by the developers:\u00a0 Bayview Developments. A formal application is awaited.<\/p>\n

It is proposed to construct a complex of 100 flats, mainly for first time buyers and professionals, \u00a0within a structure consisting of an 8 and a 13 storey round tower respectively and linked together by a five storey block.\u00a0 An interior courtyard would be formed with access from Cambridge Road. The facades of each storey would consist of various lengths of glass panels and French windows which would give access to extensive communal balconies; which as wide, horizontal bands, would also serve as prominent decorative elements in defining the architectural appearance of both towers.<\/p>\n

The Society is of the opinion that the present\u00a0 proposals can appear to demonstrate a wider intelligibility of the existing visual perspective of the area between the town centre and Westbourne.\u00a0 We note that the modernist development at Cambridge Road in its general appearance would balance in its general appearance and be equidistant from \u00a0the existing modernist development on the top of Richmond Hill and rather similar modernist structures in the vicinity of the old County Gates. Provided no future overt \u00a0modernist development occurs between these three focal points, we think that what is proposed at Cambridge Road might just work on a wider urban scale<\/p>\n

However the Society thinks that the other way forward is to create a less radical design to compliment\u00a0 in a quasi modernist\/traditional form \u00a0the several blocks of flats that exist in the vicinity of Norwich Avenue West and Suffolk Road \u00a0adjacent to Cambridge Road across from the redevelopment site.<\/p>\n

A sketch drawing showing how this alternative plan would look was submitted to the developers last year.\u00a0 So far as we can observe \u00a0our suggestion of a courtyard flanked by curved and related higher structures has been adapted as part of the present \u00a0submitted design.<\/p>\n

The Society is certain that In order to decide which design course of action to take considerably more discussion is needed.\u00a0 We certainly feel that if the modernist design is adopted, both towers should be of equal height and contain no more than seven storeys each.<\/p>\n

Debenhams\u00a0 2\/12 Commercial Road\u00a0\u00a0 Ref.\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0\u00a0 7-2020-1090-U<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an application to undertake\u00a0 a general renovation of the historic and listed department store building in Bournemouth Square which at present houses a large branch of Debenhams. \u00a0The site of the store is in the Bournemouth Centre Conservation area. By the quality of its architecture this structure is a key element in defining the visual character of central Bournemouth. It was originally constructed in 1914-15 for Bobby\u2019s Department Store and in its architectural design it\u00a0 is a fine example of metropolitan, classical, commercial architecture which was constructed in industrialized countries all the way from Moscow to San Francisco during the era of the Belle Epoque.<\/p>\n

Considerable alterations and extensions were made to the building in the 1930\u2019s, 1960\u2019s and 1970\u2019s and it is the intention of the owners to return the building, as far as possible, \u00a0to how it looked in 1933.\u00a0 In particular it is hoped to recreate the famous tea lounge on the fifth floor and to make improvements to the terrace bar.<\/p>\n

On the exterior fa\u00e7ade facing the Square, \u00a0apart from general cleaning, \u00a0the existing canopies at first floor level will be replaced by a panelled glass balcony.\u00a0 And just above the original very elegant \u00a0Art Deco ornamental balconies at first floor level will be reintroduced.\u00a0 To the rear the ad-hoc additions to the service courtyard will go and the general appearance of the area will be improved.<\/p>\n

In view of the uncertain financial future of Debenhams, the Society applauds this decision to restore this fine building to its original magnificence.\u00a0 We support \u00a0this initiative without reservation.\u00a0 Therefore since this proposal fully abides by the conservation policies of the Bournemouth Local Plan we recommend acceptance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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