Saturday, 9 February 2008
Planning Bill and local democracy
A CARA resident has alerted the Committee to Friend of the Earth's campaign on the Planning Bill currently going through Parliament and the Committee stage. FoE's concerns are largely environmental, of course, but they also make a case for more local democracy, not less as the Bill proposes, and the right for individuals to have their say. If you are concerned about these issues and would like to take action, you can find out more at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/local/planning/whats_going_on/index.html
Market House Festival, Kingston April 2008
I have been lucky enough to be awarded a grant by the RSA to run a short festival on 10 evenings from 7th - 18th April, in Kingston Market House in the Market Place. The aim is to show how local individuals and community groups could use this historic central Kingston venue to help to improve and diversify Kingston's evening culture, and also to encourage the Council to make it easier and cheaper for the community to use this space.
There will be discussions and debates, talks, workshops etc, open to anyone who cares to come along, and free. My award is enough to cover the hire of the large room in the Market House and some publicity. There are still some evenings available (Fri 11, Tues 15, Wed 16, Fri 18) if anyone local or any of your contacts would like to put on an event. Please see www.markethousefestival.org.uk for more information. I hope some of you will come along to and enjoy the Festival events.
Marilyn Mason, Lower Ham Road
There will be discussions and debates, talks, workshops etc, open to anyone who cares to come along, and free. My award is enough to cover the hire of the large room in the Market House and some publicity. There are still some evenings available (Fri 11, Tues 15, Wed 16, Fri 18) if anyone local or any of your contacts would like to put on an event. Please see www.markethousefestival.org.uk for more information. I hope some of you will come along to and enjoy the Festival events.
Marilyn Mason, Lower Ham Road
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Power Station Proposals Exhibition
Further to the other recent posts, we have been informed that the developers and their architects will be holding an Exhibition of their revised proposals at the Adult Learning Centre (North Kingston Centre on Richmond Road) on Friday 15th February (4pm - 8pm) and Saturday 16th February (10am - 4pm).
Only in draft phase at the moment but we have been supplied these images by way of example. This is a view from Canbury Gardens:
This is an impression of what the "courtyard" might look like:
This view, highlights any impact on the aspect from Kingston Bridge.
Only in draft phase at the moment but we have been supplied these images by way of example. This is a view from Canbury Gardens:
This is an impression of what the "courtyard" might look like:
This view, highlights any impact on the aspect from Kingston Bridge.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Notes from Power Station / Hotel Development Workshop 16th Jan 2008
Venue:
Richard Mayo Centre, Kingston
Present: Michael Squire (MS) Squire and Partners
Paul Harrison Squire and Partners
Nerea Mendicute Squire and Partners
Matt Holloway Squire and Partners (Project Manager)
Mike Spenser-Norris (MSN) NHP
Philip Trim NHP
Kevin Howlett PPS
Hugh Scantlebury (HMS) CARA
Trevor Willis CARA
Richard Mobbs CARA
Glenda Leveson CARA Member
Tim Kimber CARA Member (and liasing with Tony Leitch who was not present)
Clive Howard Royal Quarter Residents Association
Graham McNally Kingston Town Centre Management
Anne Brown Hampton Wick resident
+ 10 or so other interested parties
Kevin Howlett introduced meeting.
Michael Squire introduced Squire & Partners and provided background to company (offices in Kings X and examples of work including Reiss headquarters in London). Looking to come up with alternative form of design for riverside development. Not concerned with elements of affordable housing and size of units. These are details being addressed by the developer.
Rather more, they are concerned with addressing the issues of scale and mass which previously proved unpopular.
Went through options considered and shown previously highlighting desire to keep height away from the river side.
Been developing their original option 6 which is essentially comprised of two blocks - a riverside block (G+4 storeys) plus another G+7 storey unit abutting EDF substation / hotel unit which is planned to have a vertical garden fascia (i.e. green).
A "very" rough schematic of the proposed layout is attached above (we're waiting on some proper graphics from the developer).
Design features a central courtyard with road access from Sury Basin / May Bate Avenue. Road also leads to ramp to underground car park featuring 200 spaces. The "Turn" section of front building has a lower roof line so as not to block too much light from Canbury Place.
Both buildings feature large, glass entrance halls so as to facilitate views from courtyard through to river and vice versa. Front building also features two "very generous" glass access halls, again to open up vista.
Rear building "may" feature bridges (think wharf style developments) to roof garden on EDF substation / hotel development.
Preferred elevation for apartments has been taken into consideration in that larger windows of living rooms face river in front building and courtyard in year. Larger glazing faces predominantly WNW. Correspondingly smaller bedroom windows face rear.
Given planned "mansion house" style design apartments will have long adjoining walls which will be more energy efficient. Materials will feature elements of river - highly finished timber and ripple effect facade as opposed to being bland and flat. To maintain exterior design aspects, interior wooden shutters will be used (as opposed to people using 300 different types of net curtain).
Architects feel the design is not constrained by other buildings in the area and so can be of highly contemporary design and one which people will be proud of.
In addition Michael Squire would still like to consider a tall, slim tower or "camponile" which would be a beautiful and architecturally interesting feature.
Confessed to the fact that the canopy of an adjacent tree would have to be pruned if it went ahead. This would be a landmark construction of some 1500 sq foot per story and rise perhaps to some 15-18 storeys.
Trevor commented that he had preferred the previous proposals but that a camponile might compensate for relative 'blandness' of revised proposals.
Interested to know if there is interest / support for such an edifice.
Generally this appeared to be the case (of those who voted I counted 8 for, 1 against).
Graham McNally commented that he liked different heights of development, quoting good examples from the South Bank.
Michael Squire commented on the roof jewellery which would feature a range of full height and half height spaces on the riverside building. Such jewellery would be somewhat simpler on the rear construction but still present.
Trevor commented on need to review balance of access versus security / crime prevention and encouraged architects to have meaningful dialogue with local police given location.
Trees in Canbury Development would hide most aspects of development form Hampton Wick side but one attendee still said that although no trees would be affected (4m away), she would still object to the proposed height.
Various people complimented the team on the design especially in relation to reduced impact on surrounding areas including Canbury Place, Royal Quarter etc.
Kevin Howlett proceeded to wrap up the meeting, thanking everyone for coming along around 8.45pm.
Power Station / Hotel Site Development Follow Up
Following the rejection of NHP's proposals by the RBK Planning Control Committee last year, there have been a few developments.
After holding follow up meetings with the GLA and the RBK planning officers, two things started happening in parallel. The first is that NHP are going to appeal against the decision. This will, if it goes ahead, result in a public enquiry which they believe will probably be heard by a senior QC sometime during the Spring (residents may have received some correspondence in relation to this).
The second is we believe somewhat more constructive. Given most parties were in favour of a dual use of hotel / residential development but objecting in the main to the design and most significantly the height of the proposals, NHP have decided to bite the bullet and design an alternative scheme.
This will entail most likely leaving the design for the bit covering the substation (which everyone appreciates is a significant technical challenge) intact and reworking the remainder (ie. the bit that most people objected to).
NHP have commissioned a brand new architect - Michael Squire (www.squireandpartners.com), to come up with a revised proposal to run in parallel to the existing one. This is a well regarded UK firm with a number of high profile projects under it's belt. See the web site for details.
In order to not have a repeat of the previous situation, all parties involved have attempted to engage with local community representatives, officers and planning committee members throughout the early stages of the design process. Given our representation and proximity, it is felt that CARA is a key party in such matters. In a similar way, they are keen to engage with the residents group based in the Royal Quarter development.
To this end we arranged a meeting in November 2007 for our Committee to meet with personnel from Squire & Partners, representatives from the developers - NHP, people from the Royal Quarter residents association and any local councillors who had an interest in the project.
Given some initial reticence on behalf of some elected members to attend, we pointed out that given this is an attempt at working towards a consensus approach by all parties concerned, we as an association believe it would have no material impact on any due process in place once (if) any application is / was finally registered and we would of course reserve all rights to participate fully in any subsequent consultation and decision making exercise.
Furthermore, we also held that we did not believe that there was any risk of anyone pre-judging anything given this exchange taking place at a pre-application stage. Once an application is registered, it would be a different matter and the normal controls will come into effect.
On behalf of CARA residents, we asked all parties to be sensible and pragmatic in helping to improve this long forgotten but strategically important site for the town centre and where possible work together for towards a solution of which everyone can be proud of.
It turned out to be a very useful session.
The follow notes are those of that initial meeting and the subsequent workshop held in the Richard Mayo Centre in Kingston last month.
Obviously the notes whilst thorough are not verbatim and we apologise for any errors or omissions.
After holding follow up meetings with the GLA and the RBK planning officers, two things started happening in parallel. The first is that NHP are going to appeal against the decision. This will, if it goes ahead, result in a public enquiry which they believe will probably be heard by a senior QC sometime during the Spring (residents may have received some correspondence in relation to this).
The second is we believe somewhat more constructive. Given most parties were in favour of a dual use of hotel / residential development but objecting in the main to the design and most significantly the height of the proposals, NHP have decided to bite the bullet and design an alternative scheme.
This will entail most likely leaving the design for the bit covering the substation (which everyone appreciates is a significant technical challenge) intact and reworking the remainder (ie. the bit that most people objected to).
NHP have commissioned a brand new architect - Michael Squire (www.squireandpartners.com), to come up with a revised proposal to run in parallel to the existing one. This is a well regarded UK firm with a number of high profile projects under it's belt. See the web site for details.
In order to not have a repeat of the previous situation, all parties involved have attempted to engage with local community representatives, officers and planning committee members throughout the early stages of the design process. Given our representation and proximity, it is felt that CARA is a key party in such matters. In a similar way, they are keen to engage with the residents group based in the Royal Quarter development.
To this end we arranged a meeting in November 2007 for our Committee to meet with personnel from Squire & Partners, representatives from the developers - NHP, people from the Royal Quarter residents association and any local councillors who had an interest in the project.
Given some initial reticence on behalf of some elected members to attend, we pointed out that given this is an attempt at working towards a consensus approach by all parties concerned, we as an association believe it would have no material impact on any due process in place once (if) any application is / was finally registered and we would of course reserve all rights to participate fully in any subsequent consultation and decision making exercise.
Furthermore, we also held that we did not believe that there was any risk of anyone pre-judging anything given this exchange taking place at a pre-application stage. Once an application is registered, it would be a different matter and the normal controls will come into effect.
On behalf of CARA residents, we asked all parties to be sensible and pragmatic in helping to improve this long forgotten but strategically important site for the town centre and where possible work together for towards a solution of which everyone can be proud of.
It turned out to be a very useful session.
The follow notes are those of that initial meeting and the subsequent workshop held in the Richard Mayo Centre in Kingston last month.
Obviously the notes whilst thorough are not verbatim and we apologise for any errors or omissions.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Police matters...
Evening all. Just a quick update on the recent news from our local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team led by Sgt Martin Humphries (Kingston Police Station 020 8721 2580):.
1. Speeding - December Enforcement:
2. Motor Vehicle Crime:
Police checked vehicles in our area during the run up to Christmas. Some residents may have received a letter given that 43 vehicles were noted as having unattended property left in view or insecure scooters.
We would ask all residents and their visitors to not leave valuables, CD’s Cassettes, bags, clothes, documents, cameras, tools and SatNav holders etc in view.
3. Anti-Social Behaviour in open Spaces:
Patrols in these areas will continue as they provide re-assurance for the majority of residents and visitors who are law abiding.
4. Cycling on Footway and Bikes with No lights:
As well as pedal cycle theft is also a problem across the borough, the Police have been stopping persons who ride on the footway and checking their bikes for ownership and lights. Several warnings have been issued for riding on the footway and one penalty notice has been awarded.
5. Security
Prevention is the best way to deal with most crime. We would in particular recommend all householders in the CARA area to check that sheds, garages etc. all have good effective locks.
1. Speeding - December Enforcement:
- Eastbury Road: 1 warning excess 20mph. Negative Alcohol breath test.
- Richmond Road: 1Ticket. 12 Warnings. 13 Negative alcohol breath tests.
- Park Road: 2 Tickets. 8 Verbal warnings. 10 Negative alcohol breath tests.
2. Motor Vehicle Crime:
Police checked vehicles in our area during the run up to Christmas. Some residents may have received a letter given that 43 vehicles were noted as having unattended property left in view or insecure scooters.
We would ask all residents and their visitors to not leave valuables, CD’s Cassettes, bags, clothes, documents, cameras, tools and SatNav holders etc in view.
3. Anti-Social Behaviour in open Spaces:
Patrols in these areas will continue as they provide re-assurance for the majority of residents and visitors who are law abiding.
4. Cycling on Footway and Bikes with No lights:
As well as pedal cycle theft is also a problem across the borough, the Police have been stopping persons who ride on the footway and checking their bikes for ownership and lights. Several warnings have been issued for riding on the footway and one penalty notice has been awarded.
5. Security
Prevention is the best way to deal with most crime. We would in particular recommend all householders in the CARA area to check that sheds, garages etc. all have good effective locks.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Boaters closed - until April?
It appears that the Boaters will be closed for refurbishment until April. Hugh and I went down for a lunchtime catchup yesterday, to find an ex-employee having a smoke outside. She said she had been given a week to get out of her accommodation upstairs and that there was no job for her. The notice on the door says 'until further notice' - but the ex-employee said she thought they were planning to extend to a first floor restaurant and would be closed until April. We are not aware of any planning applications - which would suggest a smaller scale of refurbishment.
The Boaters has been bought by Capital Pub Company Plc.. http://www.capitalpubcompany.com
We will try and get more information on their plans and post it here. If you know anything - please add a comment below.
The Boaters has been bought by Capital Pub Company Plc.. http://www.capitalpubcompany.com
We will try and get more information on their plans and post it here. If you know anything - please add a comment below.
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