9-storey block on school site

[tine]

A Telford rep came to the RA meeting yesterday and, I must say, really encouraged me to fight this one. They promised to create an extra 170 school spaces, which isn't much considering how many new children the Square has added to the borough. But what's worse, this is a faith school, which, rather than giving places to the kids who most need them will be allowed to discriminate in favour of members of the church of England. Are we really giving up our views, our light and our space to give a subsidy to an organisation that blatantly rejects the cultural diversity of the area?

[Deleted]

Massively agree with that, as a mum in labyrinth i will not be sending my son or could i anyway, plus it is above roof terrace and i feel sorry for all the children having to go to the playground in lifts and play in concrete with concrete above them, most mums i know are going to move out if this goes ahead, awful idea i strongly strongly appose


Sent from my iPhone using ProBoards app

[macj]

Dec 11, 2012 10:28:54 GMT argayu said:

For Hackney Council, this is a very tempting offer... the school will double up its capacity and will have state-of-the-art equipment, thus a good boost for the everlasting issue with schools in the area. Plus the 99 flats (1,2,3 bedrooms) will add a good chunk to the Council Tax collection. Therefore a strong opposition will be needed to stop this and hence we will need to get as many people involved as possible if we want to have any chance.

So, whilst not exactly a grubby brown envelope full of used tenners, a pretty clear bribe for the council? Surely that's what it is - how can they even begin to suggest any impartiality in the planning application process when they are so heavily compromised. Has to be worth millions.

Does anyone know the process/timings for objecting to this and/or any local media that could be supportive?

[yanm]

I went to the public consultation with Telford on Saturday and spoke to the architect for quite a while. He said they are submitting the planning application at the end of this month and that local residents should be asked for feedback by the Council in Feb/March. It the application goes through then construction would start in October 2013 (just when Dalston Sq is supposed to be complete) and will take 2 years!!!

As a new resident of Dalston Sq (Marley House), I am shocked that I was not told about a potential 10 storey block right outside my balcony by Barratts and how little there is on this in the public domain. I also share the same concerns as many of the residents that have posted (light, wind, view, congestion, further years of disturbance etc). I am not opposed to the renovation of the school, but does it really need 99 (or so) new units of flat on top of the school? The design just does not make sense for me (and looks pretty ugly).

I think we need to make some noise about this to the Council. Whilst it may be hard to stop the plans, I think they should rethink the design.

[macj]

You may be interested to hear the council's response.
I asked
I would like to understand how and when to object to the plans to redevelop the Holy Trinity School site into a combined school and block of flats.

Please advise me how to go about this, particularly timings.

Can you also please confirm or not, that this has been a possibility for some years?

I am particularly interested as I own a flat opposite the development that I bought middle of last year and somehow, this was not mentioned either by the developer Barratts, nor in the searches.

Furthermore, I want to understand how this application by Telford Homes can be treated fairly when the council is heavily incentivised through the offer of the revamped and increased schooling facilities. Obviously whilst not a bribe per se, it is almost the same thing.

They said

hank you for your e-mail. Please find below a link to the consultation document regarding this expansion/development which advises how your comments should be submitted



www.learningtrust.co.uk/consultations/docs/Consultation_HolyTrinity.pdf

THis looks like the sort of process that might be suitable for upgrading the school playground, but surely not a gigantic block of flats.

I have asked (in response)

How is it that a vast block of flats can be agreed by disguising it as a plan to expand a school and how is it that this decision is left to 'the governors' and the 'hackney learning trust'.

This document does not address any of those issues that are normally associated with redevelopment on this scale with this level of impact on existing occupants.

What has happened to what people commonly call the planning process wherein the impacts of this type of development ie 9-10 storey block of flats, is given a fair hearing?

[Mark]

Hi macj, welcome to the forum. The reason there is no formal route to objection is that the project is not yet in formal planning: It is still in the pre-planning/public consultation stage. As previously mentioned, the plans are expected to be submitted to the council at the end of this month. Once the council have received that application, then objections can be submitted. Patience my friend: Our time will come........ Soon.

[yanm]

I e-mailed Telford Homes ([e-mail])to ask for a copy of the exhibition boards that were on display at the consultation. These were sent to me with a feedback form to provide thoughts and comments.

I was also told the following:

"We are completing our work on the technical assessments and plans that will accompany the planning application and anticipate submitting our proposals to Hackney Council before the end of January. After the application is validated the Council will write to all the surrounding properties to invite you to comment on the proposals these will then be processed by the Planning Officer before the Council determines the application."

[anna]

So it has finally been submitted to planning. The application for a ten-storey building comprising replacement larger school and 101 residential units on the site of Holy Trinity Beechwood Road can be viewed on the Hackney Council website, application number 2013/0457.
The website is : apps.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/generalsearch.aspx

I can't seem to find any details on the application though - no plans or drawings are up yet. I also haven't received a letter from Telford letting me know about the plans (as a neighbour), but they have posted the notice up on Beechwood road.

Comments will be received until 15th April, though on another part of the site it says 1st April so perhaps best to comment asap. It looks like the planning meeting is set for the 20th May.

Anna

[Mark]

Hi Anna, thanks for the update. I will give it a mention in my next website post to ensure everyone is aware.

[jamespenfold]

Hi Anna,

Full details of the application are now up with light, energy, heat, environmental assessments all documented.
I fear we will need professional assistance to fight this application as a quick scan of pertinent docs seems to imply that Urban areas that expect to have developments allow for special parameters and the needs of the many, need to be considered ahead of the downside to a few!!

No helpful I know - I hope we can all meet on this matter soon to discuss.

[anna]

Thanks for that James - I also received my letter from the council in the post this morning.

As well as commenting on the proposals directly to the council, residents might also like to let their views be known to our local councillors:
[e-mail] and [e-mail].
Apparently they are not aware that there is some local opposition to the plans.

Anna

[dionysus1]

I agree with what everyone has said about this development and how it will spoil some peoples views and the noise that will associated with the construction of the development etc. However, we must thread very carefully. There were lots of protests from local residents regarding the building of dalston square. There are very few residents in dalston square that were actually born in dalston. It seems a bit rich us then objecting to another building in the square especially as part of it will be a school for dalston residents. London is ever changing and the only thing I think we can do is make sure the building itself will look fantastic and compliment the square. I am sure this reply is not want many people want. With all this talk about the gentrification of dalston and how the poor are being booted to cheaper areas as they can not afford the higher rents etc

[Mark]

I agree with most of what you said here dionysus1, except where you say 'school for dalston residents'. It is in fact a faith based institution that will not only be schooling children but also indoctrinating them into the religion of qualifying parents. If you happen to believe in the wrong version of 'God', your children will not be eligible to attend. The question of whether children should be brainwashed into religion before they are old enough to make an informed decision is complex and I will say no more about it here, but should we really be supporting the building of a complex of apartments that impede existing residents, does not complement existing buildings (I find the proposed development to be rather ugly but accept beauty is in the eye of the beholder), will create all sorts of a traffic nightmare (imagine trying to get your vehicle out of the underground parking when Roseberry Place is full of cars dropping off students mornings and afternoons), and which does little to provide much needed school places for all the new residents moving into the multiple new developments throughout Dalston (another school will still be needed for all those those do not meet the religious requirements to attend this one). I think not.

[argayu]

Agree with Mark´s remarks. It´s not an open school and regardless of that, it will bring some nuisance and other issues to the Square.

The letter received in the post from Hackney Council estates that all comments should be submitted by 1st of April (yes, Fool´s Day) hence there is little room of maneuver in here... On this, when is the next DSRA meeting scheduled?

Thanks

[dionysus1]

I do not believe in God myself due to either being too erudite or through sheer foolishness!!. I am totally in agreement that all schools in the UK should be open to all faiths, humanists and atheists etc. Schools should be free to teach about all the different faiths and belief systems to harbour tolerance and understanding.
Nevertheless, how can we really object to another building in the square. After all i did not realise that an 8 storey building was going to be constructed next to Marley house. On the model this area was left blank by barratts. So all city views from the roof terrace will be obstructed. Most people have been affected with the anathema of so many buildings in front or beside them already. Surely one more building will not make any difference. I work in medicine and I am often kept awake by all the building work during the day when I am trying to sleep after an on-call. So I do not appreciate the prospect of more noise for another few years. Nevertheless, NIMBYISM is not really my thing. It is antidiluvian and one of reasons I left the countryside. If hackney council had ignored the complaints regarding the development of dalston square we may not have been neighbours!!
There is no way hackney will block this project. The only thing they may take into account is if people make suggestions so the building is more tolerable such as things like the aesthetics, school entrance position etc. It is difficult for me to give suggestions as I can not locate the plan of the building itself. Where can I find it?
We all know there is a housing and school place shortage in London so these things have to be built. Of course there is no excuse that the building should not be in keeping with the square itself and be attractive for the residences who will have to look at it everyday. Efforts would be better utilised by compromising rather than outright no to the building.