Now the unanswered question for our councillors is how the scheme was ever recommended for approval by the planning officers in the first place. How and why was the conservation officer persuaded to accept minor tweaks to the scheme after originally objecting to it as fundamentally flawed?
During the appeal, it was anticipated that the Inspector might have at least appreciated that the size, scale, bulk and design of the proposed development in relation to the Listed Manor House, the cottages in Palmerston Street and the Conservation Area would harm the setting of this important gateway location to the town. (see picture)
Regrettably, his report dismissed each of these important considerations and in summary was wholly supportive of the Applicants’ case without reference to specific points made by interested parties.
The fact that the inquiry collapsed because TVBC withdrew their objections and then immediately Churchill dropped their claims for costs surely warrants investigation.
Sadly a lot of people in the town are unaware of the visual impact of this horrendous block of flats about to be built.
Neill Beasley,
Spring Place,
Romsey
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