‘Oppressive’ designs slated by councillors
An artist's impression of the revised proposals
DEVELOPERS have been told to go back to the drawing board after councillors described the revised plans for the Parcelforce site in Shoreham as “ugly”, “oppressive” and “a carbuncle” for the town.
Members of Adur planning committee, meeting at the Civic Centre on Monday, seemed unanimous in their dislike of architects King Conroy’s designs, but stopped short of rejecting the proposals for the Brighton Road site out of hand.
Instead, they agreed with vice-chairman Mike Mendoza’s proposal to defer a decision until W.N. Developments “come back with a far better design”.
“This is the gateway to Shoreham town centre and we have got to get it right,” he said. “It does look an absolute mess. It needs to go back to the drawing board. We have a responsibility to make sure it is right for Shoreham.”
Ben Stride spoke passionately against the plans, saying they were overbearing and would significantly change the views from Shoreham Beach.“It is not what we wanted,” he said. “Is it acceptable for the people of Shoreham to live in rabbit hutches like this?”
Darren Burns described the building as “a bit of a carbuncle for Shoreham”.
“I think it is quite an ugly building, it is very population- dense and it is too high. It is going to spoil the wonderful and unique view of Shoreham as you come into the town.”
Carol Albury agreed: “I think it will be quite oppressive. It is not in keeping with Shoreham. It is a very unattractive and hard-looking building.”
Speaking to the committee, Shoreham Society treasurer Jenny Towler described it as a “brutalist” design and New Road Residents Association chairman Andy Silsby said it was too densely populated. He added there were already major issues over residents’ parking in the area.
Liza McKinney, an independent Adur councillor who went along to speak out against the proposals, said: “Take away the trees and what you are left with is a very boring box and a totally uninteresting building.”
She compared it to what they have in Hackney in London, adding it was “uncreative and unimaginative”.
“It should complement the existing environment and be appropriate to the setting,” she said. “If you approve this, you are setting a precedent right across Shoreham to Hove. What you have got is Benidorm on Sea. Is that what we want?”
The scheme replaced the previously agreed hotel and apartments with a new mixed-use development of 132 flats, food store, potential cafés and parking.
Stephen Sexton, from W.N. Development, said the application was the culmination of two years of negotiation.
It was a high-quality design that would bring new business to the town, he added, and residents had been supportive of regenerating the current “eyesore development”.
Mr Sexton said the proposal would bring new green space to Shoreham, with a public park and habitats for birds and wildife.
Mike Edwards, speaking on behalf of the Surry Boat Yard community, said they were the main ones affected, and they endorsed the project.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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