Wallingford is set to lose an integral part of our old town with a plan to destroy all of the old brewery buildings (more recently used as the Portcullis Club) and replace them with an out-of-keeping modern block.
The consultation period is over so we shall await the verdict of South Oxfordshire’s Planning Committee.
What’s the story?
What happened? District councillors turned down a car-free plan to convert the old brewery buildings to flats, despite their planning officers recommending it. That plan has gone to appeal, but the developers are putting in an outrageous plan just in case.
The new plan, to destroy everything, and build 15 parking spaces beneath an oversized building set back from the road, was approved by the Town Council planning committee, 6 votes to 2. According to Sue Hendrie (distinguished local archaeologist), “Having advised and worked so closely with the developer, it is a matter for debate as to whether the planning committee members were eligible to vote themselves”.
Sue Hendrie wrote a bit more for me, which I used in my comments to the District Council.
This scheme would disastrously erode the character of the Conservation Area and have a huge impact on the Kinecroft. Wallingford Town Council have been working on this scheme with the developer without consulting the town.
This major scheme would mean demolishing the Locally Listed brewery buildings in the Wallingford Conservation Area. These buildings are important both historically and to the character of the Conservation Area.
The bulky, high new buildings would loom over the Kinecroft and Goldsmiths Lane. The style of the proposed scheme is cod-industrial and zinc-clad, all quite alien to Wallingford.
The old line of this atmospheric street will be opened up with a large splayed entrance for 15 vehicles, putting an unacceptable strain on the traffic flow and increasing the already high air pollution.
Congestion and danger to pedestrians crossing Goldsmiths Lane would result.
There is no valid reason for this demolition and inappropriate rebuilt. A conservation-led car-free development, approved by SODC officers but turned down by members, is still awaiting appeal. This scheme under appeal would allow a viable and sustainable development, retain and reuse the historic buildings, have a negative traffic impact and provide a scheme that does little significant damage to the Conservation Area.
I object strongly to this scheme.
Bloody outrageous greedy developers and town council era got there long snouts in the trough again riding roughshod over local people and issues
This scheme would disastrously erode the character of the Conservation Area and have a huge impact on the Kinecroft. Wallingford Town Council have been working on this scheme with the developer without consulting the town.
This major scheme would mean demolishing the Locally Listed brewery buildings in the Wallingford Conservation Area. These buildings are important both historically and to the character of the Conservation Area.
The bulky, high new buildings would loom over the Kinecroft and Goldsmiths Lane. The style of the proposed scheme is cod-industrial and zinc-clad, all quite alien to Wallingford.
The old line of this atmospheric street will be opened up with a large splayed entrance for 15 vehicles, putting an unacceptable strain on the traffic flow and and increasing the already high air pollution.
Congestion and danger to pedestrians crossing Goldsmiths Lane would result.
There is no valid reason for this demolition and inappropriate rebuilt. A conservation-led car-free development, approved by SODC officers but turned down by members, is still awaiting appeal. This scheme under appeal would allow a viable and sustainable development, retain and reuse the historic buildings, have a negative traffic impact and provide a scheme that does little significant damage to the Conservation Area
Bruce – this isn’t the SODC planning permission form. 🙂 you need to follow the link above to the Planning Applications page.
I rarely comment on anything but I believe that by removing g such an historic building in a conservation area is fundamentally wrong. We should move forward but we should also not loose sight of the past and what makes Wallingford unique. By removing historical buildings in an agreed conservation area to be replaced by a new build seems very short sighted. We should be thinking about sustainability and encouraging less cars into the area. I strongly object to this plan.
Hi Selma, Bruce and Jill. Thanks for commenting – I hope you’ve passed your objections and comments on to the District as well.
Done it x
This makes me so very sad. What is happening to our gorgeous and historic town. This is completely bonkers. I strongly object
I object strongly to the scheme as it detracts from the beauty of old wallingford
That is an absolute disgrace Wallingford is an historical town which has already been blighted by the building of waitrose have word it is not didcot by the way
I have commented on the SODC Planning site – More cars not suitable for air quality problems in Wallingford. Ruin the character of the town – better to retain the shell of the building.
I strongly object to this scheme as do many Wallingford residents.
Please don’t get rid of the this lovely piece of Wallingford.which has so much history for young andcold
Please accept my objection to this proposal for all the foregoing reasons already objected to.,
I was really sad to hear that there is a proposal to demolish such historic buildings in a conservation area. I shall forward full cmments to the SODC in complaint.
Great to see so much feedback submitted against the application on SODC’s website. Who owns the building at present? Is it owned as part of Centre 70?