Here's what Walthamstow residents think is appropriate, and inappropriate, for the Arcade site.
The "12 to 18 storeys" proposed by St Modwen, the council's preferred developer, is definitely too high. The residential properties on nearby streets and the shops along Hoe Street and the High Street are typically 2 or 3 storeys. A ridiculously tall tower block wouldn't just physically overshadow Walthamstow, it would dominate the entire surrounding area. It would loom over Walthamstow's world-famous street market. And it would set a dangerous precedent for overdevelopment that could bring changes all over Walthamstow.
But we accept that some height helps makes a building a landmark. It's just that it doesn't need to be 18, or even 12, storeys to stand out in this location. Residents worked with the previous developers for the Arcade and they agreed on a maximum height of 7 storeys on the corner of Hoe Street and the High Street. And the Prince's Foundation say that 6 to 8 storeys is the most that is appropriate elsewhere in central Walthamstow. If the council hadn't forbidden them from including the Arcade in their report, we believe they would have recommended a maximum of 6 to 8 storeys for the Arcade too.
So we're not just saying no to 18 storeys, we're saying no to 12 storeys too. But start talking about a maximum of 6, 7 or 8 storeys and we're listening.
Wednesday 19 March 2008
How high is too high?
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2 comments:
well done on putting together this site, and shining a light on the shocking drive to cover walthamstow with tower blocks.
As a member of the Blackhorse Action Group we're trying to reverse a totally unwanted and inappropriate 23 story building next to Victorian housing, playing fields, and a site of special scientific interest. Not to mention the 15, and 12 story buildings next to that, which supposedly fit in with the area by sloping down to the terraces. Clearly two slightly shorter tower blocks will render a 23 story building barely visible to the naked eye!
Good luck and please get in touch if BAG can help in any way.
http://blackhorseresidents.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/23-storeys-high/
It's not just a question of the inappropriate height of developments in Walthamstow - it is also the sheer lack of design and build quality that is ruining the borough. There is no architectural oversight in the borough. We get a mishmash of builds - usually thoughtless design reflecting latest design trends without any consideration for the surrounding environmental build. Pressure to meet density standards, pressure from central gov't to encourage new build and runaway property prices have produced a toxic mixture.
We in Milton Road have fought successfully to limit the size of a development on the corner of Milton Road and Hoe Street.However, it was a struggle and we felt that the Council's sympathies were not with the residents.
The credit crunch may at least limit developers ambitions. The risk is that rather than pulling back from intensive builds they'll close down completely. Newly built apartment blocks left half empty, and delict sites continuing to deteriorate the result.
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