Meeting with Planning dept.

----- Original Message -----

From: christopher.speck@bt.com

Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 9:17 PM

Subject: meeting with Angela Leckie - report back

I met with Angela Leckie in Planning Dept today.

I provided her with the background of the previous campaign and how the lack of transparency, untruths and so called consultations increased the anger and frustration about this development. This led to the widespread criticised of the Council in allowing this development and why any further Applications for this site will certainly be criticised. 

I made clear few were anti development and that W hotels would be good for the area. But was the extra height needed? Angela noted the idea to downscale bedrooms a small amount and so keep within 13 storeys. I even mentioned West losing a few floors off the Apt block if W hotels wanted southerly views……Angela did not note this down !

l said the public space sold the original Application - but it would be a turning circle. Also the Big concern is - Where will it end up? 

Angela says they are considering a Personal consent for W Hotels. So if they then pull out etc then the new Application would no longer apply - so West cannot use just to get extra floors.

I asked where the Win was for anyone other than West and W hotels. S106 etc. Angela mentioned merit of W as a premium 5* so extras floors maybe supportable. But I challenge W as 5*. Angela said told distinction between 4 and 5 hotel is if there is 24 hr room service. Can we check this out ???     

EH - Angela says discussions about materials were occurring but knew nothing of increased height discussions on other 2 buildings. But nothing to stop West Applying. Suggested they would need an extra Win or merit for the Council to consider any increases elsewhere on the site.

Angela mentioned reduction in height on apt block was the concession before. I made clear this was such a small change (half a floor?) it was an insult. I mentioned outstanding right to light issues with Granby Village and Cotton Mill on Whitworth street - so any increased in height of apt block would further impact this - and harm Regency.

Conservation and Historic Buildings Panel got the new Application this week and therefore no report back yet.

Angela knew road access was issue and highways were looking at it including Regency's half of Venice Street. Brazil St would be major in and out to the site. I raised issue of lots more traffic to premium hotel and bollards etc to access turning circle may cause traffic chaos on Brazil Street / Venice St especially as 338 underground spaces to serve + Regency and 42-44 car access and Amazon House. She did not seem to be aware of the existing residents' car parking access ! 

Privacy. I specifically mentioned roof lights on 42-44 - plus extra impact of overlooking that increased height would bring to all living close to the hotel. 

Many objections received already mention extra shadowing on Canal Street. Analysis shows there will be more - but not much more. However what I saw showed large impact of shadowing on Sackville Park later in the day. So I raised this. I think the Aids monument will be increasingly impacted. I argued there was already too much shadowing from 13 storey hotel (Angela did not know originally only 11 storeys in original plans of Summer 06).     

A lack of verified images were already on Angela's list to raise with Simpson. Any news images would be added on line. The ones in the new app show the tip of the hotel peeking above the office and Apt block. I said they were a waste of paper and repeated the issue that the Applications would be much less offensive if West and Simpson etc were honest about the impact. Also statements about how bad the area currently is are how this development will 'regenerate' are just untrue and deeply offensive to residents who have created a vibrant community and regenerated long before Simpson and West came along trying far too hard to justify their plans.

I asked to speak at the Planning Committee and also requested a site visit from the Committee. Suggested the key viewing point would now be from Canal Street. The Tower cranes on site also now show the height impact more readily - compared to the site visit in Feb 07 from within the site.

In summary I felt Angela was sympathetic to the concerns of residents and I got the impression this New Application is not a done deal as it stands or robust enough for Planning to Approval as is. So maybe we can all help make a real difference this time around........

Regards
Chris Speck