DUNBUILDIN!
Developer scraps homes plan for former hotel site after designs criticised
PLANS to build four homes and 14 flats on a former city hotel site have been scrapped.
Developer Ehtsham Ul Haq submitted the proposals for the old Dunrobin Hotel at the junction of Lightwood Road and Dunrobin Street in Lightwood.
In an application to the city council, he said: “Given the existing position with regard to housing supply and the sites relatively sustainable location, it is considered that the principle of development would be difficult to resist.”
But the council’s design and conservation team, as well as the Potteries Heritage Society, objected to the application.
Jane Corfield, from the city council, said: “The new terraced houses have no front areas and no defensive enclosure. They also have no bin stores at the front of the property and have unattractive
bin access at the rear.
“This is an old-fashioned approach that gives poor amenity space. I strongly recommend that these layouts are not approved and that the building line is moved back and recycling space is provided.”
Andy Perkin, of the Potteries Heritage Society, said: “As a
prominent corner site, the design is fundamentally flawed by not addressing the corner adequately, placing both the houses and the apartment block away from the junction and leaving the most prominent part of the site to be taken up with car parking and landscaping.
“Historically, the corner of the site was its main focus and the position of the Dunrobin Hotel and main entrance.
“These could be very attractive terraced town houses if designed well.”
The Dunrobin Hotel was demolished in 2010.
The developer withdrew the application last month.