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00ObsAerial

Artist’s impression of the aerial view of the revised plans for the Observer Building.

Public meeting on Monday 22 August to discuss revised plans for the Observer Building

The public consultation period for the revised plans for the Observer Building is soon to close, which has caused a flurry of activity on the borough council planning website, writes Erica Smith. It’s also led to local resident Lorna Lloyd co-organising a public meeting about the proposed changes with Castle Ward Forum councillor, Lee Clarke.

00Observer

Ground view of revised plans for the OB.

“The purpose of the meeting is for residents and those with an interest in the application to meet to discuss the application,” Councillor Lee Clarke tells HOT. “The meeting is a follow-up to a meeting held in the Spring at which the original application was debated.

“With regards to the views of those who will attend I am sure a wide range of opinions will be voiced, however to date I have heard very little support for the application.

“Have you taken the opportunity to read the comments posted by members of the public already in respect of this application? As the local member I will represent the views of local residents at the planning meeting which will determine this application.”

There are some significant concerns for local residents about the revised plans. Even though there are now only two new floors proposed (plus smaller buildings as part of the roof garden), the height is actually not much lower than the original plans for the student accommodation block which had five new floors above the existing roof line. The plans include artists’ studios and a gym, as well as commercial use on the ground floor, with 49 apartments above.

So many apartments will generate a significant demand on car parking spaces in the area, and whilst there are plans for car access to the building from the alleyway in Claremont, only five parking spaces have been proposed for residents’ vehicles. Unlike students, it is not possible to control car ownership and use by private owners of apartments.

The plans also propose windows overlooking the roof of neighbouring Rock House. This would stop any further development of Rock House – something which has always been planned for the next stage of development.

Additionally, there have been concerns raised about the financial ability of the developer – Jeff Kirby’s company is now called All Living Things rather than Flint Group. It is quite possible that if planning permission is agreed, the site would simply be sold on to the highest bidder and Kirby’s well-intentioned visions for the building and the local community would never be realised.

Whilst there was a significant consultation programme before the original plans were submitted to the borough planning department, there has been very little public engagement or public awareness of the revised plans. Local residents and business people are welcome to attend the meeting to learn more about the revised plans and to share their views.

The public meeting will be held on Monday 22 August at 6.30pm
at the Printworks, 14 Claremont, Hastings TN34 1HA.

Comments on the planning application can be made via this link. Comments should be submitted by Friday 26 August. The earliest that the application will be discussed will be at the planning board on 21 September. Comments are usually accepted up to the day of the planning meeting but it is advisable to make sure comments are received by the official deadline.

 

Previous HOT articles:
Making it all stack up (December 2015)
Breathing life into the Observer Building (July 2015)
Observer building reaches for the sky (July 2015)

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Posted 16:39 Wednesday, Aug 17, 2016 In: Home Ground

Also in: Home Ground

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