Ex-plumber aims to sink new flats plan (From thisisoxfordshire)
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Ex-plumber aims to sink new flats plan
7:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in News
By Jamie Brooks, Contact me on 01865 425422
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Campaigners Martin Tasker, left, Judith Harley, Tony Greenfield and Sandra Tasker and their petition objecting to the Haboakus development in Barns Road
NEARLY 500 people have objected to a controversial development of flats, shops and a community facility in Cowley.
A 473-signature petition was handed across at the Town Hall this week by members of the Middle Cowley Residents Action Group (MCRAG).
Protesters are unhappy with the current plan for flats, a community centre and a ground-floor retail space on the site of the former Cowley Community Centre.
MCRAG chairman Martin Tasker, 62, said: “People have been objecting about the height of the building, the size of the building, the lack of parking and the effect on the neighbouring area. It is going to tower over the housing in Knolles Road by 50ft at least.
“Living rooms facing this new building will be in total darkness all day because of the height of the building. We were hoping for 200 to 300 signatures so we are pleased to get so many.”
The scheme is backed by Kevin McCloud, presenter of TV show Grand Designs. Oxford City Council is to ask developer Haboakus to increase the size of community facilities included in the scheme from 182 sq m to 210 sq m.
MCRAG claims the proposal for a community room is too small and is effectively the size of “a living room”.
It could only cater for a maximum of 30 people. Mr Tasker, a retired plumber from nearby Boswell Road, said: “It’s an absolute nightmare – this is a room that’s the size of most people’s living rooms.
“We want decent facilities, the same as what Northway is getting.
“Why is Cowley not worthy of it?”
Haboakus says it is has received positive feedback on its proposal.
Project manager Marita Ford said: “Since being appointed by Oxford City Council to develop housing schemes in Northway and Cowley we have remained focused on delivering the best results for local people and Oxford as a whole.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from local residents about our proposals and firmly believe the schemes will greatly benefit the community.
“Before getting to this point we held three sets of well-publicised public consultation events and have changed our plans to address concerns.
“We believe our proposed development in Barns Road is a thoughtful, high quality scheme which works well within its context.”
The developer also said the new homes would be for low cost rent.
A council spokesman said: “We have been working closely with Haboakus as well as the local community on the new facilities at Barns Road. We will judge the planning application on its own merits.”
Comments(10)
MrSooty
says...
10:35am Sat 9 Mar 13
King Joke
says...
12:39pm Mon 11 Mar 13
sobriquet
says...
4:04pm Tue 12 Mar 13
If you lived in Cowley you would know that the open air parking is restricted to 1.5 hours. the multi storeys do not have any provision for overnight parking or permit schemes available and shut after 7pm.the majority of houses in cowley are 2 storey and not 3 storey. Obviously you don't live in Cowley, and don't care that our community centre has been sold off by Oxford city council.
I do wish next time you make any comments that you base them on facts and not fiction.
This development will take away vital support to the residents of Cowley. Combined with OCC also trying to sell off Temple Cowley swimming pool and Library makes it 10 times worse.
King Joke
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4:07pm Tue 12 Mar 13
It isn't that Andrew and I don't care, we just don't see a lot wrong in this development.
cowleyite
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11:55pm Tue 12 Mar 13
The proposed building will be higher than the flats and office buildings either side of it and will tower about 50' above the houses adjacent to the rear of the site. The nearby flats are a folly of 50/60s architecture and the idea should be not to repeat mistakes of the past. That said, the exising flats are actually of a better design that the proposed building in so much that they are all dual aspect. 40% of the flats in the proposed building are single aspect east facing. This is a design error on a blank canvas site that a first year architectural student would find embarrassing.
Cowley is being asset-stripped. First the Community Centre then the Swimming Pool. What next - the Library?
Most residents are desperate to see the site developed, but not overdeveloped as per the proposal. A decent community facility (not one a quarter of the size that Northway is getting) mixed with residential units on a sensible scale with parking and traffic issues properly addressed is the way forward.
King Joke
says...
7:50am Wed 13 Mar 13
What is the single-aspect thing all about? Maybe some people don't mind a single-aspect flat, and are more interested in local shops, transport and jobs? In these respects the development far outshines other sites. By inference 60% of the flats are dual-aspect, which means those who are willing to dig deeper and shell out for two aspects will be able to do so.
cowleyite
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11:30am Wed 13 Mar 13
Anyway, if you read the Oxford Core Policy 2026 it looks like Castle Car Park's days might be numbered.
Single aspect east facing flats lose sunlight or sun-enhanced light around lunchtime. Including a small number of these units in a proposal might be unavoidable but 40% is a complete error of design. Something immediately identified by an experienced and successful aricitect and a retired Chief Planning Officer who have viewed the plans.
A study of the plans shows that just 20% are dual aspect and the remaing 40% and single aspect west facing. There is no need to rely (incorrectly) on inference or assumption when the plans are available to view on the internet.
Debate on developments is heathly and useful but please study the plans and read public and third party comments first to gain a greater insite of both sides of the argument.
King Joke
says...
11:36am Wed 13 Mar 13
cowleyite
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6:10pm Wed 13 Mar 13
Andrew:Oxford says...
9:52am Sat 9 Mar 13
There are more than 1000 parking spaces in that area across 3 multi-storey car parks. Residents can hire a space at a reasonable price. There are also empty council garages available at low cost nearby.
The majority of homes in the area are over 3 stories high - just look at the tower block and maisonettes.
I'm not sure how big their living rooms are - but I certainly couldn't fit 30 people in mine!