Refused consent to knock down derelict house and replace it with 7 bed, 3 storey Georgian house
GALLERY: Who would live in a house like this? Quite simply no one since Fenland planners insist it’s ‘too ostentatious’
By John Elworthy , The Editor
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
4:34 PM
PLANNERS says Wisbech will gain nothing by replacing a fire ravaged “modest detached cottage with a very large, ostentatious mock Georgian building”
Refused consent to knock down derelict house and replace it with 7 bed, 3 storey Georgian houseFenland planners heaped scorn on the proposal by Essex businessman Minaxi Ray to demolish the four bedroom house and build a three-storey, seven bedroom home complete with balcony.
The house which Mr Ray owns is known as Riverview along South Brink, Wisbech, and was destroyed by fire in 2009.
His plans though would exceed Fenland Council’s criteria which insist new homes should be no larger than 130 per cent of the original.
“Serious concerns are raised with regard to the scale and design of the replacement,” says a report by officers.
Refused consent to knock down derelict house and replace it with 7 bed, 3 storey Georgian housePeter Humphreys, the agent who submitted the application, described the new home as acting as a “gateway site when approaching Wisbech on the main A47”. Planners don’t buy into his thoughts.
“It is considered that the mix-up of styles, including the Venetian 17th century window, the mock Georgian appearance and the full length window on the front elevation, do nothing to reflect the character of Wisbech,” says the report.
“Not only will this confused appearance appear incongruous within its immediate setting but it also fails to promote or complement the town as a whole.”
Last year Council Leader Alan Melton argued that Fenland needed to allow more luxury and executive homes to encourage more businessmen to move here.
He said he knew nothing of this application and would launch an inquiry.
Mr Humphrey said the proposals are for a “significant detached house of Georgian
style and detail which will do justice to this large prominent site”.
He said that whilst the replacement presents a “significant uplift” in size it incorporates details from similar large homes in the area.
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10 comments
I agree with Greensleeves - having this burnt out boarded up building gives potential visitors a foretaste of most of the buildings in the town. The council probably think they'll be sued for misrepresentation if visitors saw such an impressive building on the outskirts of town and then saw what was actually in the town centre!
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Citizen of EUSSR
Sunday, November 4, 2012
An expensive looking house on the approach into Wisbech? No thanks! We would rather have a derelict and boarded up building, that complements the character of Wisbech perfectly!
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Greensleeves
Sunday, November 4, 2012
So it's not OK to build a large house, yet the council was quite happy to allow the monstrosity of a cold store just up the road. You really couldn't make it up!
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Norfolk and Good
Thursday, November 1, 2012
May be get that leader of Cambridgeshire County Council to look at it next time he pops up to fenland in 2019. He sorted out the waterfront regeneration didn't he?....no it looks the same, but then the upper class tory twit spends most of the money in Cambridge, always have always will.
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daveb123
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Build the house what do a load of fudder councillors know about anything? Most get elected on a tiny turn out, that is why we have so many crackpots. Build the house it looks great, don't listen to fuddy duddy old councillors
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daveb123
Thursday, November 1, 2012
“It is considered that the mix-up of styles, including the Venetian 17th century window, the mock Georgian appearance and the full length window on the front elevation, do nothing to reflect the character of Wisbech,” says the report. Maybe the Burnt out shell of a building look is what the planners perceive to be the Character of Wisbech?
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Clarkson Cross
Thursday, November 1, 2012
@Noodle Some towns get flooded and the people lose everything and they say: "Why couldn't the council have acted sooner?" If only those councils had built a "horrible wall that's of little use." But they didn't. @Article Seems like an odd one to turn down. A nice house like that would have been better than a burnt-out shell. I'm sure plenty of people would have liked to buy it on the South Brink.
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Steve Tierney
Thursday, November 1, 2012
perhaps mr melton should sack the planners they seem to be a law unto themselves
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gander
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Because Mark, as they say, it does not reflect the character of Wisbech, like for example the derilict old Belfast building, or the boarded up buildings in town, some with pretty pictures painted on them. And is located along the brink, so you wouldnt want to spoil that, you will be suggesting they build a horrible wall along next thats of little use ....oh... it appears they have..
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Noodle
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
It's a lovely house, why not let him build it.
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mark49310
Wednesday, October 31, 2012