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DETAIL
The following are our
comments:
1. The elevations facing South Road and Limekiln Lane should be
restricted in height (no more than 2.5 storey) to ensure they
blend in with the surrounding existing buildings. The stepped
roofscape ideas should be retained to prevent a "block"
elevation. The proposed heights will tend to be dominant and
impair the visual aspects of this area and not be in keeping
with the residential architecture of the area. In particular,
plots 6 - 17, plots 18 - 20 and plots 21 - 27 should all be
restricted.
2. The use of various render colours give the impression of a
"Toy Town" appearance and should be reconsidered. The use of any
colour rendering should reflect the surrounding architectural
finishes and materials. The elevations facing South Road and
Limekiln Lane are the most sensitive and the selection of
materials and finishes are of paramount importance. This is an
area of gradual development, ranging mainly from Victorian times
with a vast variety of styles and materials. This development
should endeavour to harmonise the area and not stand out as a
new development. The proposals have gone a long way to introduce
many types of finishes and design ideas but looks to be trying
too hard resulting in an overdesigned appearance. However, you
are more experienced at the interpretation of the plans and
elevations so we will leave this to you to decide upon.
3. Parking seems inadequate throughout the site for the number
of dwellings being proposed. If the height restriction is
implemented, this will reduce the number of dwellings and
restore the balance to an extent, but not enough. While we
acknowledge that government policy is being met, the reality is
that this level of development will generate a significant
number of vehicles and these will be displaced around the
surrounding area add to the general parking problems that exist
within the town already.
4. Plots 1 - 5 are too near the pavement and will change the
visual aspect of the street scene to detrimental effect. These
units should be pushed further back into the site to keep the
aspect of the street wide open. The same comment applies to
plots 6 - 11.
5. The emergency services should be consulted over the gated
access from the Limekiln Lane entrance to the site and to
general access around the site. If cars are parked on the
streets within the site, not on the parking spaces, severe
restrictions in the width of the roads will occur which could
impede emergency access for fire tenders and ambulances.
6. There are no units suitable for "accessibility" requirements
and this should be an opportunity to provide some units.
Recently the North Herts Homes were going to provide two
bungalows at the junction of Norton Road and West Avenue and as
some of these units are for "social" housing, can some be
designed to be suitable for accessibility tenants?
7. The views of the local residence should be given the highest
level of consideration in the application and in particular any
local residence who are "overlooked" by these proposals.
8. Tree preservation order should be kept (or put in place) for
the existing Copper Beech as the future tenants may want it
removed and this should be resisted.
9. No doubt, your department will assess the implications that
this increase in residence will have on the amenities and
services in Baldock, in particular schools, doctors and
dentists.
10. A full Archaeological excavation should be carried out due
to the extensive richness of Baldock's past, prior to any
construction work being undertaken.
Thank you for considering our views on this application.
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