Archery Ground decision postponed to 20 June
Hastings Borough Council has put off once again the decision on Gladedale’s application to redevelop the Archery Ground in St Leonard’s. Instead of bringing the long-delayed matter before the planning committee on 23 May, as previously planned, it now says the application will be decided at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday 20 June.
The move follows the submission of yet further amendments from the developer on which comments were invited from the public with a deadline of 8 June.
The most important change now proposed by Gladedale is a reduction in the height and bulk of Block A, the largest block. However, in the view of campaign group Save The Archery Ground (Stag), Gladedale has again failed to respond constructively to criticisms of its scheme, which was first submitted in 2009.
“Apart from minor cosmetic tinkering and a token, last-minute attempt to reduce the overbearing height, scale and bulk of the largest block of flats, Gladedale have ignored or dismissed every criticism,” Stag says in its objection to the application which is posted on its website. “Their application has mistakes, omissions, flawed assumptions and unsubstantiated assertions.”
Among other shortcomings, one and two bedroom flats still account for 70.5% of the mix, a far higher proportion than is desirable. And in many respects the application still provides insufficient detail for informed decisions to be made, says local resident Janette Gallini, who has made a detailed analysis of the plans for Stag.
“If the plan goes ahead, any pretence at conservation of the unique Burtons’ scheme with its historically important buildings and splendid vistas will be lost forever,” Stag says. It urges members of the public to attend the planning committee meeting on 20 June for what it calls the “most important planning decision for Burtons’ St Leonards in 200 years”.
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