De La Rue plans refused (From Bucks Free Press)
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Plans for 158 homes on De La Rue print works site in High Wycombe thrown out by councillors
10:46pm Wednesday 15th July 2009 in News By James Nadal
De La Rue plans refused
PLANS for 158 new homes on the former De La Rue print works site in High Wycombe were rejected by councillors tonight - as one declared she would rather see a “Gothic pastiche” than accept the designs.
The proposals were turned down despite officers recommending conditional approval.
The homes would form part of a major plan to revitalise High Wycombe - along with the adjoining Compair site which is earmarked for development.
It is also hoped narrowing of Archway, which leads into Hughenden Road, will connect the area to the town.
Wycombe District Council members were united in their criticism of the redevelopment plan just a month after they failed to reach agreement after a two hour debate.
Cllr Margaret Draper condemned the application vehemently, saying generations to come would look upon the building with the same distaste as 1960s architecture has been by modern residents.
“If we approve it I think what will my family who have been brought up in High Wycombe and future generations think of it?” she said.
She added: “I would rather have a Gothic pastiche than accept these plans.”
Concerns were focused on the form and size of block A of the proposed building and its impact on the area of outstanding natural beauty, in particular on views from Hughenden Park.
Cllr Hugh McCarthy said: “We owe the park something better than this.”
Cllr Julia Langley said: “I think if anyone came into the room now and saw the designs on the screen they would think it’s the application for student accommodation.
“Hughenden is a beautiful area and I think to have this development is awful. I think it’s very important we protect this area.”
Cllr Richard Pushman said it was out of keeping and too “intense”.
“It would be good looking out at Bournemouth but if you are in Hughenden park that vision would be shattered.
“I do despair sometimes that we don’t appreciate what we have got.
"We would be putting something very bland in the gateway to the town.”
Only cllr Simon Bazley, of the 15 council members voted against refusal.
Cllr Jean Teasdale warned however that the plans could still get the go ahead on appeal.
She said: “It could cost this council a lot of money.”
Comments(18)
OllieNewbury
says...
11:42pm Wed 15 Jul 09
Can't they at least knock it down?
It's ridiculous- we need more homes in this district. Here is a brownfield site and they refuse permission! What's the alternative to brownfield sites? Our green land.
People can't have it both ways.
Merge in Turn
says...
11:55pm Wed 15 Jul 09
SW:three-floors
J B Blackett
says...
12:07am Thu 16 Jul 09
Merge in Turn wrote:Agreed.
Well done WDC - you have made a good decision. Let's hope Careys wake up and throw away these plans and start again, preferably with a new architect - one with a bit of design ability & creativity.
SW:three-floors
Those quick-buck plans were an abomination.
Let's have something worthwhile , pleasant to live in , to look at and a credit to the Town.
Not that pile of shoddy rubbish.
OllieNewbury
says...
12:11am Thu 16 Jul 09
J B Blackett wrote:If they were that bad, then I don't mind waiting. As long as something gets done. That land could be used so well, instead a rotting factory still stands.
Merge in Turn wrote:Agreed.
Well done WDC - you have made a good decision. Let's hope Careys wake up and throw away these plans and start again, preferably with a new architect - one with a bit of design ability & creativity.
SW:three-floors
Those quick-buck plans were an abomination.
Let's have something worthwhile , pleasant to live in , to look at and a credit to the Town.
Not that pile of shoddy rubbish.
Maybe next year...
armchair critic
says...
12:26am Thu 16 Jul 09
I don't understand para 4. There are no other hopes in the article. The site is in High Wycombe Do you mean improve connection to High Wycombe town centre? How will narrowing achieve this?
OllieNewbury
says...
12:32am Thu 16 Jul 09
armchair critic wrote:I was wondering that. Archway and the road past Morrisons gets very busy. What good will narrowing it do?
It is also hoped narrowing of Archway, which leads into Hughenden Road, will connect the area to the town.
I don't understand para 4. There are no other hopes in the article. The site is in High Wycombe Do you mean improve connection to High Wycombe town centre? How will narrowing achieve this?
I'd like to see more roads in Bucks widened, not narrowed!
ferrellcat
says...
12:50am Thu 16 Jul 09
Cllr Draper, McCarthy,Langley, Pushman you have rejected this application.based on not in keeping with the area and the legacy you will give to future generations.Very nice of you to think of the future. Can you address the present for now and sort out the disaster that is the traffic light system in High Wycombe.I have to endure that every day so get your head out of Gothic Pastiche for a second and deal with real issues.You were all most robust against this development and yet you dont listen to every day issues
ivor
says...
1:36am Thu 16 Jul 09
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “YOUR SAY” link at the top of the page then click on “BLOGS”.
OllieNewbury
says...
2:03am Thu 16 Jul 09
ivor wrote:Oh for God sake. Must you bring your Eden-bashing into every article?
How come these plans are turned down yet an oversized, overbearing and unneeded shopping centre was allowed to be built which ruined the town centre?
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “YOUR SAY” link at the top of the page then click on “BLOGS”.
Read the comments section of the Midweek. There's a little piece in there about Eden.
Let me repeat this- you say it is unneeded because don't use it. What about the thousands that do? Your arguments don't sway at all.
demoness
says...
8:14am Thu 16 Jul 09
ivor wrote:YAWNNNNNNNN!!!!!
How come these plans are turned down yet an oversized, overbearing and unneeded shopping centre was allowed to be built which ruined the town centre? Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “YOUR SAY” link at the top of the page then click on “BLOGS”.
Eden is great - stop moaning you daft tw at.
Hit me
says...
8:21am Thu 16 Jul 09
..apparently this doesnt apply to the green fields by Totteridge, where they are more than happy to build hoever many thousands of houses they can cram in. How about some joined-uo thinking at some point?
Plus ça change...
says...
8:26am Thu 16 Jul 09
People have spent years with a busy factory or military base on their doorstep, yet things get highly charged emotionally when proposals are floated to replace what was there by housing...
Seems a bit of a contradiction to me.
yog
says...
9:01am Thu 16 Jul 09
Plus ça change... wrote:Agreed.
People have spent years with a busy factory or military base on their doorstep, yet things get highly charged emotionally when proposals are floated to replace what was there by housing...
Seems a bit of a contradiction to me.
I also find it strange that WDC Councillors make such a fuss over a relatively small development yet are quite happy to put forward massive plans to build on Thames Water site, Gomm Valley, Slate Meadow and Abbey Barn without any thought to the effect on the area.
I don't get it!
TheT0nemeister
says...
9:26am Thu 16 Jul 09
Merge in Turn
says...
12:24pm Thu 16 Jul 09
SW:pork-life
Little Miss
says...
1:22pm Thu 16 Jul 09
Merge in Turn
says...
10:48pm Thu 16 Jul 09
Keep Booker airpark, the Rye and Hughenden Park as they are.
SW:good-idea
SDJones says...
11:09pm Wed 15 Jul 09