Revised plan for apartment building still unpopular
Stratford Town Council, the County Council Highways department and the Stratford society have joined numerous residents in objecting to plans for a new apartment building on the site of the old Maison Nightclub.
Back in August Stratford firm Spicer Architects unveiled their second vision for regenerating the site, following a previous proposal last November.
The proposed building would house 27 one and two bedroom apartments and a ground floor retail space, set out over seven floors.
Residents would have access to a pool of electric cars, while each apartment would have its own terrace garden.
Studio Spicer have not indicated how much the project would cost to complete, but have said it is likely to be several million pounds.
While this design was slightly better received then the first, overall it still does not seem to have struck a chord with residents.
The application’s public consultation period has now expired and many of the comments on the district council’s planning website will make grim reading for the developers.
The biggest concern amongst both organisations and members of the public is the scale of the building and its location on a busy junction.
Allen Firth, conservation officer at Stratford District Council, commented: “I cannot see how there is any case for this proposal preserving, let alone enhancing, the character or appearance of the conservation area as a designated heritage asset. If assessing the impact on this part of the conservation area, there would be in my opinion, clear and demonstrable harm.
He added: “The seven storey building proposed is in my opinion over-dominant for this site, and excessively so. I do not believe any building significantly taller than those neighbouring it on Arden Street would be acceptable.”
Mr Firth concluded: “In my opinion, as well as the heritage harm, the design fails even the most basic of design tests.”
A statement on behalf of Stratford Town Council said: “The principle of the redevelopment of this landmark site is accepted. However this scheme is completely inappropriate and unacceptable for many reasons. The scale, mass, bulk and height is completely at odds with the existing buildings and the context of the site. The building design is not in keeping with the surrounding buildings. The design should be traditional and take its lead from the buildings along Arden Street.”
The statement goes on to criticise the insufficient parking incorporated into the design, the difficulties a retail business on the site would experience with deliveries and the lack of affordable housing.
Demolition work at the former nightclub site appears to be almost complete though the site is likely to sit empty for some time as any proposal for the site goes through the planning process.
Planning permission for five dwellings on the site already exists, though that permission will be superseded by the plan from Studio Spicer if it is successful.
