The Shoreham Society has objected to revised plans submitted for the redevelopment of St Mary's Hall, affecting East Street and New Road in the heart of Shoreham's historic conservation area.
Independent architect and Shoreham Society committee member Michael Norman comments here in support of the society's objections:
The revised scheme is an unhappy re-think of an essentially unsatisfactory approach. The word 'contemporary' is used. Not so long ago this was a description of contempt, and as an architectural concept is virtually meaningless, and seems to be used to describe a type of architecture which could have been produced during any of the last 50 years.
The applicant's architect has claimed to be a devotee of Andrea Palladio (rather the flavour-of-the-month at the moment) but produces a design which seems to ignore his master's principles.
To be specific, what is needed here is not a concrete framed structure with storey-height openings filled with glass and shutters, but a traditional structure similar to all the buildings around it. This is, stated simply, solid walls pierced with windows of size and form comparable to those which exist on all sides.
Some attempt has been made to break up the south elevation, but it is not successful. It is not the projection of the front which offends but the size of its elements. A series of gently projecting bays would offer a more attractive appearance and would yield some slight gain in floor area to the benefit of some rather tight bedrooms.
Some rather crude tricks have been used to persuade the planning committee that the proposed heights are reasonable. I think they are - except the top floor flat roof which will still certainly look dominating from street level, where most people will see it.
Which brings us back to the basic question of scale. Until this is understood and addressed by the applicant, no approval whatever should be given.
This is a very important site in the heart of the town and its redevelopment deserves the very best care and attention that can be given, for any mistakes will be with us for a very long time and could have a blighting effect on the future of the old town.
Michael Norman