The Society has a number of concerns about this proposed development.
We would need to be convinced by more evidence that this building cannot be saved as there is undoubtedly a strong argument for its retention and reuse given concerns regarding climate change.
Yet again this scheme proposes to add further to the student accommodation numbers and this cannot be helping the growing need for general housing within the city. Would it be possible to include a proportion of affordable housing within this scale of development?
We realise the city is changing and wish to help in its creation however to do this we need to see better designs coming forward. We are disappointed that the proposals show an over development of the site.
The internal courtyard is very tight and thus the overlooking between accommodation may well cause an issue. The ground floor plan shows an active frontage to St Thomas Street which is commended, especially the community use envisaged. However, the side street and rear of the proposals show no active uses and thus these streets will be of poor quality and create dangerous and forbidding places that could encourage antisocial behaviour.
In conclusion, we urge that the client and architects look again at the site and reappraise their proposals.
Simon Birch