Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Planning Office
Town Hall Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 1RS
8th August 2000
Reference Planning Application TW/00/01474/FUL/RCC
Telephone House, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells.
Dear Sirs
I understand that this is the second planning application for this development. In reading the documentation it is apparent that the developers believe they have addressed the reasons for the council's decision not to give then planning permission for the first application. I enclose the reasons for the council's decision in January 2000. It does not appear that the new proposal addresses these in any material respect. Neither does it address the fundamental issues of York Road residents, which have remained unchanged. The new proposal has more trees and better building design but it still offers residents overbearing buildings on York Road, an unacceptable increase in noise levels, parking, and for those of us overlooking the development, a significant reduction in natural light. I will address each of these in turn.
Overbearing nature of the building particularly with regard to blocks B and D on York Road. Original permission was denied due to the "close proximity of both blocks having an overbearing impact on the residential amenities of the dwellings opposite". The second proposal does not offer more comfort on this point. York Road is a small, quiet and very attractive residential street. If you stand outside my house and imagine a block 4 storeys high directly in front of you it is a very sobering thought. The developers have attempted to address this issue with the comment that the proposed buildings are no different "to other similar relationships in the road and surrounding area". That I do not currently have a 4 - storey building within a few feet of my house does not make it acceptable or necessary to add one. I appreciate that the height of block D is the same as number 27 York Road but it is still higher than the other houses including mine who overlook it.
Noise Pollution. The entrance to the 43 flats and car park indeed the only access to the site is proposed to be off York road (and outside my front door). What the development does not seem to appreciate is just how narrow York Road is at this point and the resultant noise pollution of a 24-hour car park. The developers make light of the issue firstly by stating that there was a 70 space car park previously and secondly by saying that this was not one of the reasons for original planning permission being denied. I would respectfully submit that a business car park for use solely during the day in the week and a 24-hour access to 43 flats, 7 days a week are a totally different proposition. The residents of York Road have maintained throughout that access to the site entirely from the road is one of our fundamental concerns. Surely it is protected under the provisions of EN1 and WK2.
Loss of natural light. My house and its neighbouring ones are 3 storeys high. The proposed block D in front of us is four storeys high. The loss in natural light to our homes will be significant. The developers have had to admit, "34-38 York Road will suffer a greater degree of overshadowing than they currently experience." They have attempted to dismiss its importance by saying that we have a very good level of light at the moment and that afterwards we will still be above BRE guidelines. I can see no necessity for the block to be 4 storeys high. The fact that we have good light now is not an excuse to take it away purely so the developers can cram more units in. Please can the council have a look at this height issue for those of us in this row.
Parking: The council is undoubtedly aware that this is already an important issue for residents. With a 2-hour zone as well as residents parking, there is hardly ever a space for residents to park legally. The resultant increase in traffic tickets issued recently has I'm sure been noted. Whilst the development provides for nearly one car per flat it makes no allowance for additional residents of the flats with cars or any visitors to those flats. There will simply be too many cars and not enough road. Is it really acceptable to the council that 43 new homes and resultant traffic throughput take place this close to the town centre?
I am very concerned by the comments in the report stating that the developers have been in continuous contact with the council and believe that this "new" design will therefore be acceptable. The inference behind such comments is that a decision in their favour has already been made. Residents of York Road have been given 2 weeks from time of arrival of the planning application letter to revert with comments. The balance hardly seems to be in our favour.
Whilst I would be delighted to see a residential development to telephone house, I see very few improvements to this second application. Ultimately it still does not respect the "privacy and amenities of the surrounding residents "and as such cannot reflect the aims and objectives of policy EN1. If it is allowed to go ahead in its present form it will be yet another triumph of profit over amenities. 43 units in 0.76 acres is excessive at best. I do not understand why the scale and resultant volume of human and vehicular traffic of the development has not been the focus of the councils concerns. It is very obvious to those who live there.
I very much hope that the council listens to its current residents and does not allow the development to go forward in its current form.
Yours faithfully