Douglas Clowes, Architect retired, Chairman – Planning sub-committee
So far this year the only new planning application for a large development in a Conservation Area has been for the Koala site owned by Dulwich College and situated on King Edward's Parade within the Meads Conservation Area.
This site, which is sandwiched between the Kepplestone apartment building to the right and the Cliff House apartment building on the left, with the townhouses of Chesterfield Gardens to the rear, poses significant restraints on any new building.
The new proposal by Five Walk Homes is to demolish the existing two-storey house named Koala and erect a contemporary design six-floor apartment building consisting of eight units with four terraced town houses at the rear.
The site has in the past been the subject of two failed planning applications and two subsequent failed planning appeals, all by a previous developer.
Although the new proposed design generally confirms to the criteria set out in the English Heritage and CABE publication New Development in Historic Areas, and the bulk and height are compatible with those of neighbouring buildings, the Conservation Area Advisory Group, which includes the Eastbourne Society, felt that the applicants had not addressed all the planning inspector's concerns on the previous failed appeals, and thought the proposals were likely to be over-dominant.
At the time of writing, Eastbourne Borough Council's planning department and the applicant are still in discussion on the proposals, prior to them going before the planning committee
THE Borough Council plannning department has issued the Eastbourne Society with three new Conservation Area draft documents for discussion and comment. These are:-
a) Upperton Conservation Area Appraisal.
b) Guidance Manual for the Designation and Review of Conservation Areas.
c) Conservation Areas in Eastbourne.
Document a) comprises a detailed description, history and assessment of the special architecture and historic interest of the Conservation Area and also includes a proposal that the present boundary of the Upperton Gardens Conservation Area be extended north to include part of Enys Road, east to include the area around Hartfield Square up to Carew Road including the Rodborough Day Hospital, and south to include the major part of The Avenue.
Document b) concerns legislation, planning policies and management while document c) concerns the historical development of Eastbourne and the history and designation of the Conservation Areas.
The proposal by EBC is to produce in the fullness of time a new appraisal document for each of the 12 Conservation Areas in Eastbourne.
THIS spring will see the demolition of a further two Victorian buildings. The first is the EBC-owned two-storey house 38 Upper Avenue, Upperton. In its place will be built a three-storey block of 12 flats, these being the first local authority housing in Eastbourne for more than 20 years.
The second building is the now derelict former Archery Tavern and Castle Restaurant at 346 Seaside. This will be replaced by 22 flats.
There are other contentious developments proposed which have not yet been resolved. These are: -
1) The Chatsworth Estate's application for outline planning permission for 140 houses on Pococks Field in Kings Drive.
2) Asite to the found to build the new all-through primary school for 210 children to the west of the town. The sites proposed to dat are Longland Road Recreation Ground, owned by EBC, the play park in Macmillan Drive next to the existing Motcombe Infants School, also owned by EBC, or land along Kings Drive near Park College, owned by East ussex County Council.
3) The proposal to build 80 new houses at Priory Heights in Old Town.