JULY/AUGUST 2008

PLANS FROM MEETING OF 4 AUGUST 2008

SENT 5 AUGUST

Planning Application W2008/0940/0941CA.  2 Gerrard Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
It is our understanding that there is a moratorium in place on granting planning permission for new dwellings and that while there are exceptions in the Supplementary Planning Document, this application does not qualify.
We find the new proposals an improvement on past applications although the leaded lights in upper floor are out of place and should match the other windows. We would suggest that an aperture be let into the extended porch to provide daylight to the steps and landing leading up to the front door. We are unhappy with the slender pier supporting the corner of the house at the car port and would recommend that a wall be built on the north east boundary, alongside the access, with provision for cross ventilation.
We would point out the discrepancies in the drawings showing the relative positions of the old wall, the front door steps and the edge of roof.
The site of the proposed dwelling is in an ancient part of the town and it is important that the opportunity be taken for investigating it for archaeological remains.
We would ask that before granting planning permission it is  established that the proposals meet building regulations with regard to disabled access and the stability of the exposed party wall to No 10 Smith Street.

4 AUGUST
Planning Application W2008/1066.  41a Smith Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We wish to object to the proposed retractable blind at ‘Picturesque’ in Smith Street which does not conform to the Council’s guide on shop-fronts in the Conservation Area. We would not object to a pull out awning type blind. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application in its present form.

Planning Application W2008/1067.   3 St Paul’s Close, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We wish to object to the proposal to install French windows and a balcony at the first floor of this residence. Such details are not found on Edwardian houses and are particularly inappropriate in a Conservation Area. The window and balcony which will be seen from a great distance, and especially from the listed Hill Close Gardens,  will upset the balance of the frontage of the terrace. The granting of planning permission would set a precedent which would make it impossible to resist similar unwelcome developments. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application.

Planning Application W2008/1071LB.   8 West Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
It is unclear whether this is retrospective application for the plastic fascia and sign that exists or for a new sign. We would object to a plastic sign for these premises which are in the Conservation Area, next door to the handsome St Paul’s vicarage and close to the West Gate. It is our view that the fascia and hanging sign should be of wood and the signs hand painted. 
We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application in its present form.

Planning Application W2008/1123.   Vodaphone, Warwick Railway Station.

Dear Sir
We wish to object to the siting of this proposed mast in such a prominent and intrusive setting. It is on high ground and cannot function if obscured by trees so will overtop them and be visible from a wide area including the protected Priory Park. Notwithstanding our objection we are concerned that the position of the mast and its associated equipment may prejudice the provision of a footbridge and lifts proposed at the station to meet disabled access requirements. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application.

PLANS FROM MEETING ON 21 JULY 2008 SENT ON 23 JULY.

Planning Application W2005/0888. Guys Cross Nursing Home, 120 -122 Coventry Road, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We welcome treatment of front windows which is in keeping with this Victorian building but object to the extensive use of uPVC for barge boards, guttering and windows which are not. New roof slates should match existing. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application in its present form.

Planning Application W2008/0895LB/0896.  90 Bridge End, Warwick.

Dear Sir
This application has appeared again on the agenda of the Warwick Town Council planning committee for 21 July. We would reiterate our comments arising from the meeting of 30 June:-
We note that the change in the external appearance (as well as the insertion of an additional floor) is a departure from the approved scheme; making it similar to the scheme which was earlier refused permission. We consider that the insertion of the additional windows and roof lights is damaging to the character of the listed building and of the conservation area and damaging to the neighbours’ and amenity, contrary to policies DAP4, DAP8, and DP2. We ask the council to reject the application and take appropriate action in response to the departure from the approved scheme.

Planning Application W2008/0963  MPS Builders, Lock Lane, Warwick

Dear Sir
We are opposed to any developments in Lock Lane which will lead to an increase in vehicular traffic. Although the lane is owned by Warwick District Council it is not an adopted thoroughfare. It is used by children from Packmores walking to Woodloes School and by pupils cycling from the Woodloes to Aylesford School. Until the condition of the road is upgraded to a highway with footpaths it will continue to be a hazardous route especially for children. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application.

Planning Application W2008/0981   Iceni Centre, Warwick Technology Park, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We support both District Council and governmental policies which seek to reduce car usage and encourage alternative modes of transport. The occupants of the Iceni centre should adopt or more rigorously pursue a Green Travel Plan together with these policies and so render the additional car parking spaces unnecessary.
There is no requirement to provide a car parking space for every desk or for all members of staff.
We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application.

Planning Application W2008/0986.    4 Castle Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We wish to object to the proposal to insert a balcony at high level (4th floor) into the roof space of this Victorian building. It will overlook and be visible from its neighbours particularly No 2 Castle Street and the rear of the houses and premises in High Street. The balcony will intrude into the setting of Listed Buildings, it will not enhance the Conservation Area and will set a precedent for other similar developments elsewhere in the town. The proposed dormer windows should have pitched roofs in keeping with others in Warwick town centre. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for the balcony and only grant permission for dormers with pitched roofs.

Planning Application W2008/1015.  The Abbotsford, Barrack Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
The present cover installed over the bin store is unsightly as is the storage of bins outside the compound, they intrude into the setting of the important grade II* listed Abbotsford building, the County Council building and the pedestrian thoroughfare. The bin store should be redesigned and expanded to accommodate the water pump and the increase in the number of bins and boxes arising from need for the recycling of domestic waste. The new building should be designed to have minimal impact the Conservation Area.
We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application in its present form.

Planning Application W2008/1025.  The Zetland Arms, 11 Church Street, Warwick.

Dear Sir
We would ask the planning officer to check with the environmental health officer that the design of this extraction system will meet his requirements, in terms of fume velocity /height of dissipation, noise and vibration etc.,  and not rely on the opinion of the applicant that it will be satisfactory.

Planning Application W2008/1029.  Sainsburys’ Supermarket, Shires Retail Park, Warwick

Dear Sir
We regret to see that the work of increasing the capacity of this car park is already at an advanced stage and deplore loss of landscaping whose provision was a condition of the original planning permission. We support both District Council and governmental policies which seek to reduce car usage and encourage alternative modes of transport, it is our view that this development seeks to do the opposite. We object to removal of car park’s central distributor road, its loss will create hazards for vehicles leaving on the boundary road conflicting with incoming vehicles turning right into the aisles to the parking bays The increased traffic flow across the front of the store will increase and so create hazards for pedestrians leaving and entering it, particularly for children and parents with children and pushchairs. A single pedestrian crossing is inadequate, there should be one  at the end of all six of the parking aisles. We find that the design of the new arrangements while catering for cars shows no consideration for the welfare of pedestrians. We would ask Warwick District Council to refuse planning permission for this application.