October PAC comments for the Planning Department, Norwich City Council

08/00829/O   Old Lakenham Vicarage, Harwood Road
                      Proposed erection of 2 no. two storey detached houses
It was felt that the allocation of land was disproportionate; the Vicarage retained a good two-thirds of this large plot.

08/00827/F    Land & Garages NW side of Magpie Road
                      Demolition of 11 garages & redevelopment of site to provide 11 no.
                      family houses + associated parking
This is a good use of the site. We were pleased to see the use of green energy incorporated, and the retention of the trees.

08/00886/F    Stanford Court, Bowthorpe Road
                      Proposed two storey extension to provide student accommodation
The site and the proposed extension are too small; this is a crammed proposal.

08/00823/O    rear of and including 293-293A  Aylsham Road
                      Proposed mixed use development comprising 88 residences & 3000
                     square ft A2/B1 office space
We consider there are far too many proposed buildings for this site, and traffic problems are inherent with the proximity of a major five-way junction.

08/00889/F   Georgian House Hotel
These plans were not made available

08/00918/CF3    Former South Harford Middle School
Extension of existing school building for provision of multi-use games  Area … to provide Pupil Referral Unit
It is good to see the building being brought back into use.

08/00928/F      Land & buildings adjacent to Ailwyn Hall, Lower Clarence Road
                        Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 3 storey dwelling
This improves the existing site, but to the detriment of Regency Court next door; it is very close and will adversely affect the amount of natural lighting available.

08/00934/F & 08/00935/O    Bishop Bridge Road
                        Erection of 6 apartments, + outline application for erection of 19
                       residential units (13 3-storey townhouses & 6 apartments)
Full advantage is not being taken of this key riverside site with the woodland of Ketts Heights to the rear.

08/00974/F     Anglia Square, including land to N & W
                        Comprehensive regeneration of Anglia Square for mixed use including
 Residential, foodstore, additional retail, enhanced landscaping, car, bike and  pedestrian access, bridge link to St Crispins
This major new scheme is totally isolated from the core and nearby new developments of the City by a dual carriageway/flyover and large roundabout. It is without proper pedestrian access.

• The scheme demands the use of a model; the illustrations are deceptive, providing views which will not be seen where context buildings are omitted. However, one of the most interesting elevations with its splayed fenestration on a residential block will be virtually unseen.
• Overall design standards do not reflect the lauded schemes from elsewhere used as exemplars
• The attractive proposed landscaping design is not matched by the quality of the proposed buildings
• The scheme does not have a cohesive approach to the design
• It contains aggressive features such as the large over-scale building masking the store on Pitt Street; this sits in an uncomfortable way with the housing going north on Pitt Street and the smaller-scale houses on Gildencroft
• Whilst it is appreciated that more shopfront designs will follow re. elevations, the proposal as it stands portrays a deadness at ground level – it lacks any sense of vibrancy.

FT read Barry Howell’s comments on transport from the SP&T Committee

08/00951/F     2 Stracey Road
                       Proposed conservatory to front elevation of hotel
This is awful and should be refused outright.

08/00971/F     23-25 Magdalen Street (Loose’s)
                      Part demolition of existing retail and storage buildings at rear of site;
                     alterations  & conversion of front building; redevelopment of remainder
                     of site with 13 residential dwellings + parking & garages
These houses are too tall; they need to be reduced by a storey. This is a good brownfield site, but the scheme is an overdevelopment. It borders Gurney Court, and there will be similar issues of overlooking their garden as there were with the St Saviour’s Lane/ Blackfriars Street development

08/01013/F     Sussex House, Sussex Street
Demolition of existing structures except historic boundary walls; erection    of 20 no. houses & flats
There is an opportunity to retain the nice façade of Sussex House, but a different decision has been taken

08/00958/F    Norwich School
                      Erection of new electricity substation and switchgear room
Although it could be said that the substation is hidden away, it does become part of the enclave of listed buildings which demands a better newcomer. The standard EDF brick shed will not do.

08/00853/F     31 Grove Walk
                       Two-storey side extension + garage
We consider this to be an over-development