Update: 25 January 2015
I have renewed my objection to this scheme. I am opposed to the development in principle. It will damage Ludlow’s conservation area and block important views.
Update: 5 August 2015
I have renewed by objection to this development. I do not believe there are any grounds for approving a development that is formally in the open countryside, at risk of flooding and damages a conservations area. Here is my statement.
Main article: 25 July 2015
New designs have been drawn up for controversial plans to build two houses on the last remaining green field on the Linney, adjacent to Linney House (14/04328/FUL). The developers, McCartneys, have brought in a new architect who has drawn up radically different plans. The new layout for the houses now partially preserves the view from the Linney towards the meadows of the Teme and across to Mortimer Forest.
The houses have been turned around. They no longer face the Linney, they face each other. The gap between them has been widened as a result opening up more of a vista westwards. The houses are larger, but their design is much improved.
The previous plans
The revised plans
The new architect is proposing a gap of 18 metres between the two houses and a “12 metre zone to be kept clear of walls fences or garden features higher than 1 metre to preserve vista south west from The Linney”. In the previous plans, the gap was narrower and was to be planted with trees.
Architect Trevor Hewett says of the new designs:
The houses and the proposed site layout are a carefully considered response to the site and its wider context. In particular, the important vista from that part of Linney below St Leonard’s gate to open countryside and hills beyond is preserved. In its design, massing and site layout the proposed design will make a harmonious addition to the varied architectural character of Linney.
This is a welcome recognition that the views from the Linney are an ‘important vista’. The previous plans drawn up by Les Stephan Associates denied this and said:
There are no major impacts or landscape and visual effects that are likely to significantly change intrinsic views in and throughout the site and those views experienced daily by local people.
The new designs by Trevor Hewett are certainly a great improvement on the previous scheme. I have not yet had time to study the plans in detail, or to decide whether to back them or oppose them. Let me know your views.
Andy,
I agree that in one respect the revised plans could be said to be a significant improvement. But before you get too enthusiastic about it perhaps you might see my own comments on the SC planning website. More particularly you might refer to your own well-considered comments therein and ask yourself whether the revised plan addresses the numerous issues in any way. In my view it does not.
I haven’t said I am enthusiastic about the plans