WEB NEWS - 31 OCTOBER 2004

PLANNING

38 Gloucester Road, London SW7
An appeal against the non-determination of an application for a residential dwelling comprising ground and basement accommodation was submitted in March 2003. The Inspector considered the modern design of the scheme to be an enhancement to the conservation area and saw no justification in the Council’s requirement for off-street parking. However, the appeal was dismissed in August 2003 with concerns over the safety of neighbouring trees and the structural stability of adjoining buildings.

An identical application was submitted to the Council in September 2003 with supporting evidence addressing the concerns. Despite the Inspector’s comments the application was refused on design grounds in March 2004. An appeal against this decision was allowed on 12th October 2004, with the Inspector stating that the design of the proposal would positively enhance the conservation area.

For further information on this project please contact Steven Forman (steven.forman@cgms.co.uk)

HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Bonn Square, Oxford
In advance of an RIBA approved international design competition to be held in 2005 for the improvement of Bonn Square in Oxford, CgMs has been commissioned by Oxford City Council to carry out a Conservation Plan for the area, in order to assess its significance, vulnerabilities and potential for change. This will form a critical component of the competition brief and will be used to inform the design proposals and the judging of the competition entries.

For further information on this project please contact Nicholas Doggett (Nicholas.doggett@cgms.co.uk)

1938 Ammunition Depot near Banstead - Public Inquiry
CgMs provided expert witness at a planning inquiry involving a World War Two ammunition depot near Banstead in Surrey. The depot, consisting of eight concrete bunkers, was built in 1938 as a store for anti-aircraft ammunition for the defence of London. It continued in use until 1953, and an application was recently submitted for the erection of 76 dwellings, involving the demolition of the bunkers. English Heritage objected to the demolition of the bunkers on the grounds that they were of national significance, but an application for the statutory listing of the structures was refused by the Department of Culture Media and Sport. At the inquiry, the Inspector accepted the expert evidence put forward by CgMs that the buildings were not of national significance, and he concluded that there was “no overriding requirement for the bunkers to be preserved in situ…and that preservation by record would be the more effective approach”.

For further information on this project please contact Tina Garratt (tina.garratt@cgms.co.uk)

Former Maze Prison and Long Kesh, Northern Ireland
Having undertaken the comprehensive built heritage assessment and record at the 360 acre site in Northern Ireland, CgMs are reporting the findings to the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Environment Heritage Service. The assessment forms part of the Government’s Reinvestment and Reform Initiative. The report presents recommendations and discussions in line with the objectives of the RRI, to assist in deciding a new future for what has become an icon of the Northern Ireland conflict.

For further information on this project please contact Karl Hulka (karl.hulka@cgms.co.uk) and Jon Lowe (jon.lowe@cgms.co.uk)

Former Shadow Factories
Our historic building recording team are currently recording two former World War II shadow factories. Following the on-going works at the Agco Masey Fergusson factory at Banner Lane, Coventry, a detailed photographic, documentary and analytical record of the former Castle Maudsley site at Great Alne is being undertaken.

For further information on this project please contact Karl Hulka (karl.hulka@cgms.co.uk) and Jon Lowe (jon.lowe@cgms.co.uk)