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DETAIL
We have review the latest
proposals at our last committee meeting and the members have
requested I make the following points to your panel. Most of our
previous comment still seem apply and have been
restated/reworded here for your convenience.
1. We note the changes between the two sets of proposals but do
not se where the suggestions made have been taken into account.
We note the roof line change along South road from the South
Lodge Mews site to Limekiln Lane, this is an improvement and
attempts to give some "flow" to the roof lines, but it is still
too dominant in the street scene. The 1.8 metre wall along South
Road is of some concern as it will be quite an extension of the
existing wall. We are not sure how this will change the street
scene, especially as there are many other such walls in the town
which do seem to work quite well. If it is to be considered, it
should be constructed from reclaimed bricks of the right type
and with the right topping, to "blend" with the age and design
of the wall at South Lodge Mews. A "new" brick wall will look
very odd for many years. The strange change in pavement depth at
the junction of this site and the South Lodge Mews site should
be eliminated as it looks ridiculous on the plans and gives no
flow to the line of walls. It would be a good place for muggers"
to hide and then escape through the new development.
2. 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.
2. The use of various render colours has been reduced and the
elevations are more suitable, apart from the height. 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 still 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 may be 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. This is particularly relevant to
visitor parking. You only need to walk around the area at
weekends to see the problems that already exist.
4. Plots 1 - 8 are still 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 9 - 14. The existing building lines are a good guide to
what would be acceptable.
5. The emergency services should be consulted over the 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. The site entrance has
now moved nearer to South Road and there must be concern over
the safety aspect of this. There are large volumes of vehicular
movements at the junction already and this will add a
significant number of vehicles into the area and in particular
in the morning rush hour. There are many pupils going to the
school and they need to cross both South Road and Limekiln Lane,
now there is the added crossing into this development. You will
no doubt be taking expert advice on this change.
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.
11. Please consult with the Police over the security aspects of
the development to ensure it is designed to best practice for
crime prevention.
Thank you for forwarding a set of documents to us and thank you
for considering our views.
Kind regards,
Chairman
Baldock Society
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