When Albany Street Developments submitted a planning application for a new apartment block at 21 McDonald Place last March, locals were not impressed (Breaking news, 21.3.16; Ref. 16/01329/FUL)
Some 35 letters of objection were sent to the Council, and the proposal was withdrawn on 28 June without explanation.
Now, an amended version of the 5-storey, 11-unit proposal has returned, including changes which the architects claim address and solve ‘issues’ raised with the earlier version (Ref. 16/03471/FUL).
Staran Architects say that, although the apartment block would be higher than the building it replaces, there would be no overshadowing whatsoever of the adjacent terraced housing.
‘It has also been brought considerably forward from the rear boundary and therefore has no impact on the rear buildings.’
Robin Lippett of the Bellevue Area Residents Association begs to differ. He says the latest plans still don’t take account of fundamental objections to height, style, and blocking of light.
Among other alleged omissions, he claims that the revised version lacks ‘the “proposed cross section/context” drawing that we had to ask to be included in the initial application [… showing] how high the building is in context with 120 [McDonald Road] and how it completely blocks the view and light’.
In a strongly worded email to neighbours, Lippett also expresses anger that, whilst the application was submitted on 12 July, action to notify nearby residents was not started until 25 July (following a local councillor’s query) and even then did not include the new houses in McDonald Street/Place.
Residents in this area have had more than their fair share of unwanted controversies to deal with over recent years. However, they’re a tough-minded and well-organised bunch, and Spurtle would not bet against their eventual success.