29.10.02 - Letter to the Planning Department, TWBC - The Freeholders of No. 8


From:
Chatfield/Lambert/Longfield, York Road, Tunbridge Wells

To:
Nigel Eveleigh,
Planning and Building Control Services, Town Hall
Royal Tunbridge Wells

29 October 2002


PLANNING APPLICATION TW 02/02409 - CALA HOMES' SCHEME OF WORKS October 2002

Dear Mr Eveleigh,

As residents and owners of a house in a listed terrace within a conservation area, we take a keen interest in the progress of the proposed Telephone House redevelopment. Unfortunately, the latest CALA proposals constitute anything but progress.

Before addressing the impact of the Works, we wish to fully endorse the objections to the redevelopment previously made by the Telephone House Neighbours' Association. Without doing so, it might be implied that, following amendments to the Scheme of Works, we would accept a redevelopment which in fact is wholly unsuited to the location. In brief, we strongly object to the 43 new flats on the grounds of incongruence with the existing heritage properties, adverse effects on sky line and reduction of light, build density, destruction of existing trees, exacerbation of the parking problem, increased traffic congestion and pollution - we could go on, for example, to discuss further the type of housing proposed and social issues, but simply wish to remind you of our strength of feeling on this matter.

Regarding the Scheme of Works, we can infer from the information submitted that its impact on York Road would be unacceptable and unbearable.

  1. Months - years? - of heavy axle weight loads would almost certainly threaten the structure of our period houses, particularly those with cellars and basements - with what legal redress?
  2. Together with the noise and pollution caused by endless deliveries, we understand that a mobile crane m York Road will add to the nuisance.
  3. Parking, already a problem, will be further severely restricted, with York Road closed at times.
  4. Further, this is no short term inconvenience: we are supposed to endure these major works over 2 years, no less!!

And to what end? An ill-conceived, unsympathetic development which will hardly "benefit" our conservation area any more than the mistake of Telephone House itself. - Think again!!

We await your response.

Peter Chatfield - Maria Lambert - Nathan Longfield

cc : The Telephone House Neighbours Association



Objections to CALA Homes' Second Scheme of Works for the Telephone House Development

Is CALA really going ahead with THAT scheme?