Tom Hazleton, Developer from Urban Rhythm and
Justin Fox, JSP Architects gave a presentation to the community
meeting on the Wheatsheaf Works
planning application.
Tom and Justin made the following points:
- It was planned that there would be a
wholesale refurbishment of the site which would include new
buildings and refurbishment of the existing building.
- The existing building was
‘listed’ and it was intended to maintain the character
and integrity of the building.
- It would cost approximately
£10m to convert the listed building and because of the
expense, a high density development was planned.
- There had been concern that because
the site had been made secure, work had already started on the
site. However, the site had been secured because lead had been
stolen and the developers had a responsibility to protect the
listed building. In addition, work had been carried out with the
conservation officer as part of the ongoing investigations.
- It was intended that there would be
a mix of housing, but it would be mainly affordable. There was also an aim to put the focus back on
family style housing in the area.
- It was hoped that the development
would attract a wide range of people, including older people and
young people and that people would stay and become part of the
community.
- Urban Rhythm and JSP Architects had
long histories of converting listed buildings and their aim was to
complement and not devalue the building.
- The Hazletons would have a management role over the
development
and a concierge would be provided.
- A request for a traffic survey had
been made by the council on 12 July and in response, a survey was
carried out three days later. The survey was carried out in term
time as the schools were still open, although students from
university had returned home.
- 165 parking spaces would be provided
and there would be 2 cycle spaces for every house.
- The developers were required to
submit a travel plan to the council, and as part of the plan, bus
passes would be provided for new residents. It was acknowledged
that some people would not want to use the buses, but for others, a
one month bus pass could be sufficient to encourage use of public
transport.
- The possibility of providing a hire
car facility was being explored.
Residents raised the following questions:
- Will the Wheatsheaf Theatre be completed before the new
building starts?
Tom and Justin
responded that the work would be carried in several phases, over
approximately 4 -5 years. It was intended that some new building
would be carried out in the first phase, which would generate
finance for work on the listed building.
- Could you create more
parking spaces and reduce the new build?
Justin explained
that as much parking space had been provided as possible as the
plans had to fall within the city council planning policies.
- Parking at the
Wheatsheaf Theatre is difficult and
people have to park on the street. Will any parking be provided
there?
Tom and Justin
explained that there would be some parking available, but it was
also anticipated that many people would walk to the theatre because
it was a community facility.
- The possibility of
providing a hire car facility was mentioned. How would this
work?
Justin explained
that they were working with officers in the highways section to
ascertain the best method.
- What about sustainable
heating. Will this be provided?
Justin explained
that they were working with the specialists in the city council on
this issue. Where it would not be possible to put in sustainable
heating in the listed building, ways of offsetting this in the new
build were being investigated. Solar panels had been considered but
it was acknowledged that they were no longer the most efficient
method of sustainable heating. Justin
added that implementing sustainable heating would be easier if they
were planning a total new build on the site, rather than working
around a listed building.
The Chair thanked Tom and Justin for their
presentation and explained that they had agreed to come to the next
Freeman Community Meeting, which would be held in the Wheatsheaf Theatre.