Lewisham is considering a planning application to build modern flats on the corner of Newlands Park with Tredown Road. See documents in this link:
http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/LEWIS-XS ... mkey=55575
The neighbours have been invited to give their views by the 29th January for the planning permission of the construction.
After having looked at the proposed plans we feel that the developers have failed to take into account the style of properties in our area, mainly being period properties and that this modern construction could spoil the appearance of our area.
We are putting together a coordinated response to the council with the objective of making the developpers build in line with the period properties of the area.
We would like to hear from anyone that would like to support our cause. Hopefully if we get a good number of supporters the Council may listen to us...
Ugly modern flats to be built in Newlands Park!!!
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charlieandpip
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 22 Feb 2006 17:25
- Location: Cator Road, Sydenham
ok,... so I'm not trying to be controversial - but I like the design. If well executed old and new can really work.
IF well executed.
The design looks like it would be a refreshing update, and can only be better than the mattress dumping site that is there today.
http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/ACOLLATEDOCS/41461_2.pdf
Also, when you take time to read the Design and Access statement http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/ACOLLATEDOCS/41460_1.pdf they clearly state that the long existing dropped kerb well be reinstated as a standard kerb creating an additional 6/7 new parking spaces, as well as one on site parking space - there are only 8 'dwellings' scoped for the site.
PS : I don't work for the developers! Just want to put forward that there are alternative views, and BTW I live within sight of the site.....
IF well executed.
The design looks like it would be a refreshing update, and can only be better than the mattress dumping site that is there today.
http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/ACOLLATEDOCS/41461_2.pdf
Also, when you take time to read the Design and Access statement http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/ACOLLATEDOCS/41460_1.pdf they clearly state that the long existing dropped kerb well be reinstated as a standard kerb creating an additional 6/7 new parking spaces, as well as one on site parking space - there are only 8 'dwellings' scoped for the site.
PS : I don't work for the developers! Just want to put forward that there are alternative views, and BTW I live within sight of the site.....
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charlieandpip
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 22 Feb 2006 17:25
- Location: Cator Road, Sydenham
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Paddy Pantsdown
- Posts: 204
- Joined: 1 Oct 2004 10:04
- Location: Venner Road
There are occasions where mixing new and old works but to my mind this is not one of them. 99% of the surrounding houses are Victorian.
It is very apparent that they are trying to cramp out as many flats as possible with no thought on how to integrate the building with the surrounding architecture and materials (see the contextual elevation plan of Tredown Rd). This is another cheap modern building which will age badly compared to the gracefully aging victorian builds in the area. A smarter modern creation would have incorporated period features into their design.
Had it not been for the fact that this road suffered bombings in WW2 it probably would have been made a conservation area. I am just trying to preserve what is left of our heritage.
It is very apparent that they are trying to cramp out as many flats as possible with no thought on how to integrate the building with the surrounding architecture and materials (see the contextual elevation plan of Tredown Rd). This is another cheap modern building which will age badly compared to the gracefully aging victorian builds in the area. A smarter modern creation would have incorporated period features into their design.
Had it not been for the fact that this road suffered bombings in WW2 it probably would have been made a conservation area. I am just trying to preserve what is left of our heritage.
I think that now planners are moving away from enforcing a style on new developments even in Conservation Areas, and a good thing too. Every era should have its own style or even styles.
A Victorian building a house in a Georgian neighbourhood would not have thought twice about conforming to the surroundings but would have wanted the very latest style. That our own culture is lacking in similar confidence is not a good thing and only results in debased architecture with no real identity in its own time or any other. As we no longer have the dirt cheap labour to introduce the same style of workmanship as in Victorian times you also force developers to use mass-produced tack-ons as 'period features' which just end up looking cheap and nasty.
By all means focus on design in terms of proportion, scale, quality of materials and colour but let a new building be just that - new!
Personally I think the design is a bit timid and could do with being a bit more exciting but I guess the locals would have a fit. It's because of this lack of confidence that new designs often are a bit dull.
A Victorian building a house in a Georgian neighbourhood would not have thought twice about conforming to the surroundings but would have wanted the very latest style. That our own culture is lacking in similar confidence is not a good thing and only results in debased architecture with no real identity in its own time or any other. As we no longer have the dirt cheap labour to introduce the same style of workmanship as in Victorian times you also force developers to use mass-produced tack-ons as 'period features' which just end up looking cheap and nasty.
By all means focus on design in terms of proportion, scale, quality of materials and colour but let a new building be just that - new!
Personally I think the design is a bit timid and could do with being a bit more exciting but I guess the locals would have a fit. It's because of this lack of confidence that new designs often are a bit dull.
I haven't studied them in detail, but the proposed flats don't look too bad at all. In fact I think there's something very exciting about seeing a well-designed modern building next to well-designed old buildings.
Surely the essence of good design in anything is 'form follows function'. New materials and new construction methods mean that if a building is well-designed it won't look anything like a building from the past (which would have been ground-breaking in itself at the time).
I really hate it when a pastiche of an older architectural style is attempted, unless it really is an exact replica, and that rarely happens.
Diego – incorporating period features into the design sounds like a recipe for disaster frankly. Unless you are asking for high ceilings – that's one thing I certainly think lacking in many modern developments.
Surely the essence of good design in anything is 'form follows function'. New materials and new construction methods mean that if a building is well-designed it won't look anything like a building from the past (which would have been ground-breaking in itself at the time).
I really hate it when a pastiche of an older architectural style is attempted, unless it really is an exact replica, and that rarely happens.
Diego – incorporating period features into the design sounds like a recipe for disaster frankly. Unless you are asking for high ceilings – that's one thing I certainly think lacking in many modern developments.