Sections Environment The Built Environment - Autumn 2007
The Built Environment - Autumn 2007
The built environment has been a matter of major concern over recent months and seems likely to continue to need monitoring and comment.
As WEB and Senator Cohen's consultant advisor on the Waterfront, architect Howard Hopkins, frequently state, new thinking on the future of the western and central areas confirms that iti is the most important development that the Island can expect to deal with for the foreseeable future. The proposal to sink the road from the Underpass up to near Gloucester Road is expected to release enough development space to pay for considerable changes elsewhere, one element of which could ba an Island Art Gallery.
Current thinking is that this could be sited just to the North of the entrance to the tunnel, so helping to contain a new public open space on what is now the Bus terminus. The Section has expressed some concerns, including questioning whether this is the best situation and how the long-term financing can be supported. In particular, it was felt that, while Island architects have shown themselves perfectly capable of producing excellent work, the design of a building of such potential importance nevertheless warranted both an invitation to the widest field of interest and also that the selection of the most appropriate design should give adequate weight to local opinion.
Environment Section members are not only involved in consultations on the future of the Waterfront but also attend the 'MRLAG', the Minister's Listing and Registration Advisory Group, which comments on the suitability of interesting buildings being given protection from inappropriate re-development.
The Section is concerned at the failure at the first fence of the new Third Party Appeal system against the grant of planning permission. One of the Section's members fulfilled the eligibility condition with regard to permission to erect a five storey office at the junction of Colomberie and Green Street, which would involve the loss of two historic listed buildings. Although the new law appeared to offer a 'modified' appeal process with minimal formality and risk of exposure to costs, it became clear that in fact there remained the possibility of considerable costs: the appeal had to be withdrawn and it is understood that other potential appeals have been abandoned.
R Anthony - Chairman
