Forum Topic

Planning application 2017/1874

A letter arrived from the council this morning saying that the developers, whose plans for a 10 storey building on the corner of the High st and Putney Bridge Rd the council refused planning permission, have appealed to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.A public inquiry will be held at the Town Hall June 18, 10.00am.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2724d8 Comments

Thank you Elizabeth for letting us know.I find it despicable that the case has been taken to appeal though, regrettably, not surprised.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2724d

No I'm not surprised, though I am angry.  Reminds me of when Johnson was Mayor and he overruled the council's refusal to give permission to the development on the other side of the High St.Given the supply of flats it interests me that these developers want to press ahead. Each time I take the train to Waterloo I wonder who is going to live in the flats springing up beside the track.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2724d

As far as I understand it the market for new flats is dead, so why are they letting so many be built?

Martine Guy ● 2724d

Yes, angry is the perfect description and I agree with you.Boris Johnson's interference did surprise me as angered me too.  The so-called man-for-business pushed Enoteca away. The tower blocks beside (if not almost on the train track) are quite awful and it is no surprise there is no uptake to talk about.  Luxury flats?  Or luxurious price tags? What does surprise me though is the (minute) number of affordable flats the developer proposes....  As for air pollution along PHS, it is difficult to see how such a tall building would do anything else other than aggravate the current situation.  Appalling!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2724d

I agree Martine.  The Council had rejected the application but the developers do have a right to appeal.  Only the developers mind you, nobody else.  So the decision of the Inspectorate is final. Let us hope the Inspector is fair and knowledgeable!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2724d

What "green" initiatives are there incorporated into the design?  All new buildings should now be built so as to minimise the amount of energy that will be used in them ie don't create spaces which get excessively hot or cold.  Some of the newer flats are so small that you can't get a through draught to cool the place down and don't have shading so residents reach for the electric switch to put a fan on as soon as the sun gets hot.They should also be designed so as to provide some of their own electricity through photovoltaic cells.

Philippa Bond ● 2724d

They're milking the help to buy schemes...  50'000 new flats are available at prices averaging 1000-1500£ per square foot. The market appetite for those before the brexit was 3000-5000 per year. Now it's probably around 1000 per year, even with the low pound making it attractive for Asian buyers. So there is a huge stock already that will take 10 to 20 years to sell!Not sure that's the best article but it gives you an idea:https://www.citymetric.com/politics/help-buy-finally-being-scrapped-here-s-why-it-was-terrible-idea-4419

Marc Blanchard ● 2724d

Why don't we just let the subject of the High St go?  It's never going to be attractive and I would rather see these buildings being built, as long as the contractors can make something beautiful locally or nearby (plazas, fountains, seating, space).  If people want to buy the flats, good luck to them!Only problem I see is if a building cuts out the light from someone's home.

Bunny Payne ● 2724d