Concern over ‘ugliness’ of flats for the homeless
NEIGHBOURS WANT TO MAKE SURE DESIGNS DON’T AFFECT ‘CHARACTER’ OF THE STREET
NEIGHBOURS have expressed concerns about the design of new flats proposed by a homelessness charity – and whether they will fit in with the rest of the street.
Framework has submitted plans to build six one-bedroom flats on the car park of its head office at Val Roberts House, in Gregory Boulevard, near The Forest recreation ground.
The flats would be over three floors – and similar materials would be used to the surrounding buildings, according to the plans.
Eileen Butler, 67, a retired housing worker, of Premier Road, said: “In terms of its impact on the street I don’t think it’s going to be massive.
“There might be a bit of antisocial behaviour, we’ve some flats up the street where there’s antisocial behaviour, so it’s not something we’re not used to. They (residents) want to make sure the design doesn’t affect the character of the street.
“If it reflects the street’s character then I don’t think people will be objecting to that.”
She added: “Generally people are not against the client group. In advance of making an application you would think they would contact some of the residents and let them know what is going on. It’s such a big part of the street.”
Jo Brown, 56, a builder of Premier Road, said: “In terms of people in housing need, they deserve somewhere nice to live,” he said.
“It’s a very small building for six self-contained flats. It’s narrower than the existing buildings.”
He said he didn’t think there would be an issue with noise associated with the new block.
“We have had 48-hour parties with students and stuff like that. It’s not something we dwell on, it’s not a problem to us.
“The issues we have had have been to do with student houses rather than people with housing needs or housing homeless people.
“So I think it’s a bit of a red herring in terms of any issues about noise.
“The big issue for us is not about creating housing, it’s not about having a building there - it’s about how it looks, its design and how it is situated on the site.
“Does it actually need to be this close to number one? How well does it fit with the local plan in terms of provision of housing?”
A 57-year-old woman, who lives in the area and asked not to be named, said she was concerned about the “ugliness” and “cheapness” of the proposed flats.
“The houses on this street are all the same, built by the same builder,” she said. “The deeds on our properties are bespoke.”
Phil Collins, Framework’s asset and development manager, said: “Framework have submitted a planning application to build six onebedroom self-contained flats on-site at Val Roberts House.
“With the ongoing pandemic, we no longer need as much office space. In addition there is a considerable lack of available accommodation to re-house formerly homeless people in the city.
“The application is still open and neighbouring residents can comment during the 21-day consultation period.
“The initial design of the building is currently under review to ensure it is in keeping with existing housing and consideration will be made for the ecology of the site.”
Plans submitted to the city council read: “Externally, similar materials would be used to the surrounding properties.
“The building is proposed as utilising a red facing brick that would blend with the adjacent properties on Premier Road.
“In order to achieve level access off Premier Road, the ground floor level of the proposed building is set up from car park level by 1-1.5m (depending on where the measurement is taken). “This brings the centrally located entrance to be level with (or very slightly higher than) Premier Road at this point.”
The plans add that the proposed block has been designed to follow the “established scale” of Val Roberts House and properties in Premier Road. There are currently 28 parking spaces at the site and nine will be lost as part of the development. The plans state that the car park is not often full as few staff travel to work by car and none of the residents own a car.
It also says that the charity wants to make better use of its current properties to provide housing rather than office/parking space. Residents will be provided with their own kitchen, bathroom and separate living and sleeping spaces in each unit.
In terms of people in housing need, they deserve somewhere nice to live.
Jo Brown