Monday 10 September 2012

Salcombe Planning Madness

I'm presuming that I am not the only one who has noticed the huge amount of rebuilds going on in Salcombe? Every time you look around a house has disappeared...then slowly a modern architectural wonder/carbuncle (delete as appropriate) appears in it's place. The most astonishing creation to date seems to be the house at the top of Newton Road, what's that all about?

Some are a triumph and sit harmlessly alongside existing buildings, such as the new build at the top of the Yacht Club steps; looks good form the road and looks good from the water. The other house that appears to be fitting in well is the nigh on 6 year build on Allenhayes Road, looks like a couple of semi's, from Devon Road looking up towards the plot the house sits nicely in the gap.

And then we have...the house being built into the hillside below Cliff Road, this may well be an architectural and structural wonder but really...what were the planners thinking...how does that fit in? I hate to think what the final build costs on that will be!

The question that needs to be asked is what policies are the planners following, what guidelines are there to keep in check this modernisation of Salcombe to ensure it is sympathetic and will enable our town to retain its charm and uniqueness whilst ensuring we don't get left behind??

Or does MONEY trump all policy???

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agreed on the Newton Road "cube" - especially the view from Devon Road. What were they thinking....??!

Ian F-J said...

As a resident of Salcombe and responsable for one of the 'carbunkles' I have to say I would rather see something of great architectural quality and design than something new, but trying to look old, so as to 'fit in' This would be a copy or a fake.
Lets face it if someone doesnt push the architectural envelope we would all still be living in black & white cottages'
Just think how well the modern architecture in London sits alongside the old.
Why should Salcombe be any different?

Anonymous said...

dear mr F-J i believe i am aware of which property is yours, my main complaint with your property is the state that the building site has been left it, it is a complete mess and as such reflects very badly on you, i for one quite like the design but wish that you would get your a**e in gear and just bl**dy finish it!

Anonymous said...

Calm down dear !
This is a self build you know.
I didnt think we were under a time penalty.
Perhaps you would like to come and give me a hand Mr Anonymous !


Ian F-J

Anonymous said...

i would be willing to help you tidy up!i just feel that it reflects badly on you!

Ian F-J said...

Most of the mess and building paraphenalia around here during the last year or so, is associated with the demolition of Salcombe court which I seem to get the blame for unfortunately.
I agree it has looked a mess with the rubbish left on the roadside parking deck at times.
For general minformation the crane is not mine either.

Anonymous said...

I love your response Ian. IMO Underdecks will look way better than the 1970's mediocrity that it replaces, when it is finished.

However good architecture is extremely subjective and a bit like marmite.

IMO The Tower is an improvement on what was their. The house at the top of the YC steps is a carbuncle, mainly because of the poor finishes and the fact that it does not sit well with the Grange, when viewed from Portlemouth.

Also IMO the only architects who really have come up with designs that are in harmony with the surroundings are Harrison Sutton.

I am however a fan of the Sullivan House which is attributable to Stan Bolt.

Personally I think that South Hams Planners, both the office and the elected representatives are a joke, and are ineffective in steering developers in the right direction, mainly because of their unwillingness to participate proactively in the early stages of the projects.

Also, Totnes appears to treat Salcombe as a cash cow, rather than somewhere special that should be nurtured.

 
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