Application to demolish Osmanstead & build 6 houses
The Staines Town Society is disturbed by the inappropriate design, the number of dwellings and the loss of green space in the proposals for the Osmanstead site in the Laleham Conservation Area.
The very essence of this Conservation Area is encapsulated in its variety of property styles and the space around them, which this proposal seeks to destroy. Osmanstead, which is more interesting and individual in appearance than what is proposed, stands at prominent riverside location in the Laleham Conservation Area and must be replaced with something considerably more sensitive and appropriate in both design, style and size.
The proposed scheme is vulgar, the proposed dwellings are angular and brutal and there are too many of them. The particular character of this Conservation Area and the Laleham riverside will suffer significant visual detriment if this proposal is granted permission.
The Town Society disagrees with many of the declarations in the Heritage Statement, as follows:-
Section 4, Impact Assessment, 4.1 “The loss of the view through to Osmanstead from along Condor Road is therefore not considered to be harmful to the Conservation Area and is capable of improvement.”
This maybe so, but the Staines Town Society do not consider the proposed scheme to be either acceptable or an appropriate improvement.
Section 4, Impact Assessment, 4.2 “The materials and overall design philosophy is considered to be harmonious with the urban setting and capable of having a neutral impact upon the overall appearance of the Conservation Area.”
The area certainly cannot be described as “urban” and the proposed design is anything but “neutral”. The term “allowably modern” implies a subtlety, which is not present in this design, the proposed dwellings should enhance the character of the conservation area, rather than replace a section of it with an eyesore.
Conclusion, Section 5.2 “The proposed development will have a neutral impact upon the special character, appearance and setting of the Conservation Area.”
The overtly modern design, in particular the saw tooth style of the roofline and tarmac covered front gardens will have anything but a neutral impact in this sensitive riverside setting.
Conclusion, Section 5.6. “Although the building (referring to Osmanstead) is well established, this alone does not imply significance and the building does not share any group value with No. 213 Thames Side.”
On the contrary, the existing buildings (213 & Osmanstead) are wonderfully significant because of their individuality, to have shared or “group value” in terms of similarity of appearance, produces a reduction in both individual and intrinsic value in this setting and Conservation Area.
Furthermore, the suggested blocks of adjacent dwellings, built with the same appearance and style, provoke more of a modern “estate” feel, rather than that associated with the individual and varied styles of the surrounding dwellings, which provide substantial quality and character to this delightful Conservation Area.
Conclusion Section 5.6 “Whilst the site is of importance to the Conservation Area, Osmanstead does not contribute to the character and appearance of the setting and is therefore deemed capable of improvement.”
The Town Society disagrees, by virtue of its individuality, Osmanstead contributes significantly to the particular character of this Conservation Area, especially in the riverside setting and any dwelling(s) replacing it should strongly adhere to this principle.
The proposed application is intensely out of character, out of scale within the Conservation Area, an over-development of the site and would produce a loss of green space – it must be refused.
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