No 87 August 2019

HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT

A  Planning Applications

Letters written after April meeting

1. Ruddles Pool, Maidenhead Road, Windsor SL4 5TW – part change of use of dwelling (C3) to a place of worship (D1) with new vehicular access and associated car parking – (19/00906/FULL)
   We did not feel that this site, in the green belt and on the banks of the river, was an appropriate site for the proposed development and we were also concerned about parking issues.
   Pending

 Letters written after May meeting

2. Mercure Castle Hotel – construction of third floor to provide an additional 30 guest bedrooms with associated passenger lift – (PA 19/01183/FULL & 19/01184/LBC)
   As we had done in a previous application for this site we requested a ‘green wall’ for the side of the building backing on to Bachelors Acre
   Permitted
3. 114 – 116 St Leonards Road, Windsor – proposed barrel roof with 3 dormers to provide additional flat following demolition of plant room – (PA 19/01025/FULL)
   This was a revised application and we were still unhappy that the additional floor and its unusual design were inappropriate in this setting.
   Pending
4. Thames Court, 1 Victoria Street, Windsor SL4 1HB – consent to erect non-illuminated hoarding along the northern and part of the eastern elevations of the site and for an internally illuminated crane lightbox (PA 19/01165 FULL) We consider an illuminated light box to be inappropriate in a Conservation Area and detrimental to the character and amenity of the wider area.
   Permitted but with no lighting as we requested
5. 151-153 Clarence Road, Windsor – Reserved matters application (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission PA 17/02566/OUT (allowed on appeal) for demolition of 151-153 Clarence Road and construction of a 3 storey building with accommodation in the roof and associated car parking and landscaping [25 April – Amended design and scale. Floor plans, elevations and site plan have been amended] – (PA 18/03584/REM)
   These were amended plans and we were unhappy about the additional height .
   Pending
6. Tapas Revolution, 18 Thames Street, SL4 1PL – painting of shopfront and alterations to existing awning (retrospective) and consent to retain the internal alterations for the WC and bar area, painted shopfront and alterations to the awning (retrospective) – (PAs 19/00872/FULL & 19/00873/LBC)
   This is a Grade 2 listed building. Alterations have already been carried out without permission and we requested that the building be reinstated.
   Withdrawn
7. Enzo’s,  83 – 84 Peascod Street, Windsor SL4 1DH – consent to install new fascia lettering following removal of existing fascia sign, re-paint shopfront including first floor window frames – (PA 19/01068/LB)
   We were happy about the new colours and fascia treatment but had concerns about some of the documentation.
   Pending
8. Wagamama, High Street, Windsor – Change of use to provide external seating area and associated display of windbreak advertisements – and consent to display non-illuminated windbreak/banner adverts – (PAs 19/01059/FULL & 19/01060/ADV)
   This is proposed within the entrance to Royal Windsor Station and we expressed concerns for several reasons.
   Refused

Letters written after June meeting

9. Nell Gwynn Restaurant, 6 Church Street, SL4 1PE – consent to upgrade the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing services ,internal alterations to the first and second floor bathrooms, internal joinery repairs to floors and decorative mouldings, new slate hearths, replacement of the rear ground floor roof to include 2 roof lights and the repair of the existing window to the kitchen – (PA 19/00848/LBC)
   We enquired about the progress of restoration of this building following partial collapse in late 2016.
   Permitted
10. 32 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1EA – consent to display 1 x internally illuminated projecting sign, 2 x non illuminated fascia signs with vinyl lettering, 1 x internally illuminated fascia sign, 1 x non illuminated wall mounted sign and frosting to window – (PA 19/01404/ADV)
    We consider the signage inappropriate in front of a Grade 2 listed property and in its location.
    Pending

Letters written after July meeting

11. S G Autopoint 437-441 St Leonards Road, Windsor SL4 3DT – construction of 50 bedroom hotel – (PA 19/01513/FULL)
    We are still unhappy about the amount of traffic this would generate and the architecture of the proposed building
    Pending
12. Site of Former 61-63 Dedworth Road, Windsor SL4 5AZ (Mahjacks site) – mixed use development with retail unit at ground floor and 13 apartments above, with access, car parking, servicing and landscaping following demolition of existing buildings (Part Retrospective) – (PA 19/01714)
    Our objection was based on the poor standard of amenities in this proposed over development of the site.
    Pending
13. 23 Hatch Lane, Windsor SL4 3QY – single storey side extension (Retrospective) – (PA 19/01353)
    We considered this proposal to be discordant within this area where it is also opposite a listed building.
    Pending

B  Updates to Planning Applications mentioned in previous newsletters

1. Windsor Business Quarter 67 Alma Road – (PA 18/00095 – PA 18/60072 / NONDET) 
   As an appeal had already been lodged by the developer against the non-determination of the above planning application, it was decided to write another letter to the Planning Inspectorate urging them not to allow the appeal. This letter did not replicate the one previously sent to the RBWM planning committee but focused on the many reasons for refusal which the Borough decided not to major on. The appeal hearing was scheduled to be held at the Windsor Racecourse on 26th March 2019.
   Appeal upheld
2. Eton College Slough Road Eton – new buildings for recreational activities – (PA 18/02033)
   We met on the site and were shown the plans and the areas for development. We wrote expressing support but as part of the development is on green belt we stressed that the ‘very special circumstances’ for such development should be a commitment by Eton college for community use of the facilities. Also requested that the extra parking space should be available for use at public events at the college.
   Permitted
3. 56 – 57 Sir Christopher Wren Hotel, Thames Street, SL4 1QW – non material amendments to planning permission 18/00255/FULL for part of the ground floor to be used as a conference/meeting room instead of a coffee lounge as originally annotated on the approved plan – (PA 19/00210)
   At a consultation in 2016 we had been led to believe that the coffee lounge would have public access as we were concerned about the loss of the Chocolate Theatre Café. We encouraged the hotel to provide this amenity.
   Withdrawn
4. 56 – 57 Sir Christopher Wren Hotel, Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1QW – change of Use from Class A3 to function/conference room to be operated in conjunction with existing hotel facilities – (19/00991/FULL)
   Our concerns were exactly as mentioned for the March application PA 19/00210
   Pending
5. 8 Black Horse Close, Windsor SL4 5QP – variation under Section 73a to planning permission for PA 18/00253/FULL without complying with Condition 2 (C3 Occupation) for the construction of a three storey terraced dwelling with new vehicular and pedestrian access and associated parking following the demolition of existing extension and garage – (PA 19/00021)
   Refused
6. Avanti, 98 Peascod Street, Windsor SL4 1DH – consent to retain alterations to shop front, further works to re-paint shop front and new signage – (PA 19/00683/LBC)
   We were very unhappy about several aspects of the alterations to this Grade II listed building which was formerly Wellington Public House. Demolition of parts of the façade without Listed Building Consent caused particular concern.
   Refused
7. Windsor Physiotherapy, Essex Lodge, 69 Osborne Road Windsor SL43EQ – demolition of existing building and construction of a new building comprising 10 x two bedroom and 2 x one bedroom flats and associated parking alteration to existing access and new bin enclosure – (PA 19/00916 FULL)
   We were concerned about loss of this heritage asset on this prominent site and the design and lack of landscaping of the proposed development which are not in character with the area. (See below)
   Pending
8. 35 Park Street, Windsor – consent for the partial removal of chimney breast at ground floor level and removal of existing cupboards to accommodate new kitchen unit – (PA 19/00842/LBC)
   This is a listed building in an important street in a conservation area. We were very concerned about the proposals and the seeming lack of proper process.
   Withdrawn
9. 207 St Leonard’s Rd. – demolition of outbuildings, 2 storey extension and conversion of resulting building to 4 x one bedroom dwellings – (PA 18/03181)
   Concern about lack of parking and resulting vehicle movements on already busy, congested road – B3022
   Still Pending