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25/00368/FUL Demolition of the existing community rooms and caretakers cottage and construction of two new apartment buildings comprising of 48 units (40 x 1 bed and 8 x 2 bed) together with access and parking, cycle and bin store, hard and soft landscaping.

The Society supports the applicant’s aspiration to provide more accommodation for blind and visually impaired people, but does not feel the present application is suitable to achieve this objective, partly because it represents piecemeal development relating to only the rear (northern) part of the site, and also because the new development would be too close and too dominant, especially given the proximity of rear curtilages of neighbouring properties and the existing Swail House itself.

In addition, ECS considers that the design is boxy, bland and could have a more traditional design feel thus being more in keeping with its surroundings. A number of potential detailed design improvements were highlighted.

Parking and vehicular access were also considered unsatisfactory and potentially hazardous for blind or visually impaired residents, as was the proposed pedestrian access route.

In summary, ECS cannot support this application and wrote to EEBC accordingly. See our letter here.