Alpha Laval latest plans still dodgy
After two previous rejections the third lot of plans from Carlton Properties has been lodged in Brentford library and the Treaty Centre. What time of year would you choose to submit plans to minimise objections? That's right folks you've got till Christmas Day. To be fair the Planning Department (planningcomments@hounslow.gov.uk)will probably accept objections till New Year. The wall of offices, serviced apartments and hotel rooms designed to look down on the residents north of the M4/A4 is much the same, just slightly lower (except for one point). The building is described as 12 storey although I counted 14 layers above ground on the plans. Most of the 11 "Key Amendments" look pretty minor apart from better on-site renewable energy measures. One Saturday afternoon skimming the plans so far is not enough for me to grasp all the detail but one line that frightens me is that the plans "respect and complement the scale of the consented scheme at Wallis House." (Remember how high that is going?) Also they state that the Planning Department agrees that high buildings along the Great West Road are appropriate - not if you ask the residents where you are trying to extend them to overlook their homes and block out the sky to the south. Also I don't get how that fits with their acceptance of the argument against "massing". I would be more impressed if the appropriate Council department could deal with the illegal (I was told at the BCC)in-your-face advertising on the old tower which we seem to get till just before plans come up for council review. Still the advertising revenue could help pay the PR and legal costs. As always I pity the contradictory government steers that architects must address but I challenge any residents or disinterested adjudicators to look at the plans for 10 minutes and not be convinced that Carlton is still going for gross overdevelopment.
David Dewhurst ● 6439d1 Comments