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DETAIL
We have reviewed the revised
plans and still have major concerns about this development and
it's impact on the residential aspect of the Letchworth Road
street scene. The important point to note is that both 43 and 41
have a largely "residential" aspect, the only signs of the
extent of the existing home is when viewed from adjacent to the
the flyover, it is only then that you get a sense of a much more
extensive building form. The demolition and joining of the two
properties will materially change this to the detriment of the
street scene, this is unacceptable in this location and we
object to the proposed development.
We still have a problem with the demolition of number 43
Letchworth Road. We object to this aspect, it is one of
Baldock's older houses and is important to the street scene. It
is a family home of a good size, not so many of these in the
town. This is particularly important as it is near an
oversubscribed secondary school. It is our opinion that the
street scene is at present "residential" and that the demolition
of No. 43 together with the construction of the new building
linked to No. 41 will change this to a "commercial" street scene
due to the scale and mass of the frontage compared to the
adjacent properties. This is not a "commercial" area and this
change would detract from the appearance of the area. The linked
proposal is far too dominant in the context of the surrounding
buildings. The commercial aspects of the street scene start at
the industrial area at Letchworth and this proposal would
degrade the visual aspect of this part of Baldock. It is our
view that the building at No. 43 should be retained and any link
be achieved in a discreet manner, significantly set back from
the building line and in "light" materials to maintain the
"residential" appearance. A planting scheme should be introduced
to ensure the residential aspect and view is maintained. A
significant change in roof line would also help maintain a
separate appearance. Planting between the linked blocks would
soften any mass frontage effect.
The infilling at the rear backing onto the houses in Letchworth
Road and Hopewell Road is something that should be considered by
the local residence who will be affected directly by this. It is
our opinion that their views should be the guiding factor on
this aspect.
We feel the design could be more imaginative, the use of
materials are paramount and should reflect a "residential"
nature. The link block and replacement building at No. 43 are of
particular concern. The street elevation proposal shows two
large vertical elements that cannot be reconciled with the other
elements of the existing structures.
We support the ethos of providing additional care facilities in
the town, particularly for dementia, our main concerns about
this particular proposal rest in the street scene change it
would deliver.
There is a larger issue at stake here as well, we have seen some
applications in recent years that are based on demolition of
several houses and then building a mass block on the plot. An
example of this is the recent construction in Weston Way. The
street scene has now been changed by a mass block, in a normal
detached/semi-detached street scene to the detriment. If this
continues unchecked, the whole of Baldock will be at risk of
loosing it's "market town" balance of properties and this
concerns everyone I talk to about the subject. It is your
responsibility to ensure this does not happen as our protectors
of the heritage of the town as a whole, not just the
conservation area. There is no logical reason why we should
accept the change at Letchworth Road as it will surely be the
thin end of the wedge to further expansion and loss to the town.
Thank you for considering our views on this application.
Kind regards,
Chairman
Baldock Society
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