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In a startling shift from its usual editorial position, The Hastings Observer slates Hastings councillor's and planners for failing to listen and respond to residents' concerns over planning policy in it's Comment column. Article
Top architects Steven Gray, Iain Exley and leading local estate agent, Marc Heuclin spoke out against the amended plans presented by Gladedale for the Archery Gardens (Former Hastings College SIte). Hastings Planners were heavily condemned for incompetence and their failure to protect this heritage site. The 150 plus audience packed in the Assembly Rooms pledged their unanimous opposition to the plans.
See article
Steven Gray, Dip Arch MSc IHBC RIBA, a former principal architect for the Department of the Environment, was asked to provide his independent assessment of the Archery Ground project. Mr Gray has no connection to STAG. In his report he stated the following conclusions summarised below. Full report
1. The shortcomings of the 1960s College development do not create a credible context nor decent precedent for this redevelopment.
2. The college buildings were temporary squatters on the site but their replacement with residential buildings will have the presumption of endurance.
3. Knocking down one group of unsatisfactory buildings to replace them with another, unsatisfactory in different respects, does not preserve and enhance the conservation area.
4. The architectural offer of this application pays only lip service to the character of the area and will have a negative impact on the historic environment.
5. The creation of large, rectangular areas, imposes terracing onto the sloping contours that were the original character of the site.
6. The residual piece of open, parking space in the centre is mean in size and has no amenity value.
7. The proposed substantial reduction of the tree screen is as effective in damage to the character of the conservation area as would be its complete felling.
8. The Archery Ground is a Heritage Asset in terms of Policy Planning Statement 5. It was an intrinsic part of the Burtons’ development (recognised as an area of outstanding national importance). It also has significance as the site of the quarry where stone was won for the original development of St Leonards.
9. Any new development should respond to the context of the pre-development site and its surroundings and the significance of Decimus Burton, who was one of the principal architects of the high Victorian period.
10. This development will have a negative impact on the historic environment and of the Burtons’ St Leonard’s Conservation Area. In the words of the architectural historian Gavin Stamp (writing in Private Eye) it is a ‘monstrous overdevelopment of the site and entirely alien to the character of St Leonards’.
Despite being granted planning consent nearly 9 months ago, Gladedale has yet to start work on the St Saviour's Site in West St Leonards. This raises the question of Gladedale's ability to finance its operations since being bailed out by Lloyds bank in 2009 with a half billion pound debt-equity swap.
It might be that the Gladedale's aim in submitting the revised application is simply to increase the value of the land so that it can be sold on rather than any serious intention to develop.
Whatever the true intention of Gladedale or the outcome of this planning application, the Archery ground site looks set to remain a focal point for petty thieves and hooligans for quite a few years to come. In the meantime, with windows smashed, roofs stripped of lead and exposed to the elements there is a genuine fear that the Burton Terrace may become damaged beyond repair or suffer the same fate as Hastings Pier. |
