Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

and the principle elements in defining the character, are the river itself, the riverbank
and the views along and across the Thames. Many of the historic buildings within the
conservation area of architectural merit have an industrial character which represents
the history of the area.
5.8 The Heritage Statement that accompanied the planning application considered the
relevant heritage assets which contribute to the conservation area. Officers agree with
the Report's assessment that the buildings at Watermeadow Court are of no
architectural or historic interest and are located some distance from those elements
which contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Accordingly the report states that the application site does not make a positive
contribution to the significance of this part of the conservation area. Furthermore, the
existing buildings on site do not engage with the street edge in a coherent or
appropriate manner and therefore have a poor relationship with the street scene, with
limited hard and soft landscaping. In line with paragraphs 138 and 129 of the NPPF the
existing buildings have therefore been assessed for their significance and it is
recognised that no harm to the conservation area would occur as a result of the
proposed demolition. English Heritage has been consulted on the proposals and has
raised no objection to the proposed demolition. The Fulham Society also made
representations on the application and confirmed that replacing the existing poorly
designed buildings would be a positive step.
5.9 Council officers are also of the opinion that the building design has a lack of
architectural detailing and interest, using poor quality materials. Officers consider the
existing architectural style to be poor and out of character with the wider conservation
area. Furthermore, in order to prevent squatting and vandalism within the existing
buildings, the windows have been bricked up. This is considered to add to the
detrimental visual impact of the existing buildings on the character and appearance of
the conservation area. Removal of all buildings on Site would therefore improve the
current situation and would also provide the opportunity to visually enhance the area in
the short term by way of landscaping and in the long term when the redevelopment
proposals come forward in early 2014. The proposals are therefore considered to be in
line with Paragraph 137 of the NPPF as set out above.
5.10 Whilst security measures have been put in place at the Site, the Site has been
subject to significant fly tipping over recent years giving the general perception of a
deprived and deteriorating area. This has had a negative impact on the character and
appearance of the conservation area and on this part of the Borough in general. The
Site has also been subject to squatting in the past which has had an overall detrimental
impact on the locality and the conservation area. The development proposals are
specifically designed to improve security at the Site with a view to minimising the
negative impact fly tipping and squatting has on the visual appearance of the area. The
proposed landscaping and fencing will therefore provide a much improved situation to
what is currently on Site.
5.11 In addition, demolition of the existing buildings would enable below ground
investigative survey work to be undertaken in order to establish the extent of any ground
contamination. Although the level of ground contamination is currently unknown, the
Site's history indicates the potential for significant ground contamination. Demolition of
the existing buildings would assist this survey work, thereby minimising delay to the
construction programme, ensuring the comprehensive redevelopment of the Site at the
earliest opportunity and in line with the JV timetable.