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University housing gets go ahead
TONIGHT Wycombe District Council gave the go ahead to plans for a new student village to be built in town.
The proposals, which have conditional permission, mean that Buckinghamshire New University can build 672 rooms at the former CompAir site in Hughenden Avenue.
There will also be 33 parking spaces and an onsite taxi rank.
BNU's plans were revised after the council's development control committee deferred its decision in February, amid concerns over parking and design of the blocks.
To keep cars away from the area and discourage students to bring their vehicles with them, there is to be a two kilometre "exclusion zone" in effect.
If students are caught parking within it, they will face sanctions from the university.
And the blocks themselves have also been redesigned, incorporating more eco-friendly features. There will also be a "green corridor" - a tree lined road that will lead from the university to the town centre.
But there were still concerns over the scheme. Jenny Rogers spoke on behalf of residents in the area. She acknowledged that the latest plans were better, but still thought they were wrong for the well-known site.
Ms Rogers said: "There are 600 students too many for this site, and on that basis it should be refused. This has the potential to be something stunning, not mediocre and controversial."
Some members of the committee expressed worries about the parking situation, and also that the design of the buildings was not "iconic" enough.
Dr Ruth Farwell, vice chancellor of BNU also addressed the committee.
She said: "Our university is committed to building a lasting relationship with residents.
"BNU is on track to become a leading modern, business facing institution, which Wycombe can be rightly proud of. Our student accommodation development will be a fundamental part of that."
After deferring the scheme two months ago, the committee appointed architect George Ferguson to independently assess the project, which he called "thoroughly recommendable."
Cllr Hugh McCarthy said: "We all agree on balance this is an essential part of the town's renaissance.
"I'm fully convinced that the objections to the previous scheme have been addressed."
11:42pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008
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CommentPosted by: George - Wycombe on 3:01am Thu 24 Apr 08
The council have been clearing the site for weeks knowing this application would be passed, if private business started work before planning permission was given they would be made to return the site to it's former glory.
The parking ban is fractionally less than a mile and a quarter, this should be reviewed to keep them outside surrounding highly populated residential areas.
How will the council operate checks on student cars?
More council hot air.
The council have been clearing the site for weeks knowing this application would be passed, if private business started work before planning permission was given they would be made to return the site to it's former glory.
The parking ban is fractionally less than a mile and a quarter, this should be reviewed to keep them outside surrounding highly populated residential areas.
How will the council operate checks on student cars?
More council hot air.
Posted by: TQWood, Hazlemere on 6:25am Thu 24 Apr 08
=there'll probably be a token six months of checks then i think that will go by the wayside and the students will get away with parking anywhere! No surprises the plannig was passed this time it was always on the cards.
=there'll probably be a token six months of checks then i think that will go by the wayside and the students will get away with parking anywhere! No surprises the plannig was passed this time it was always on the cards.
Posted by: Carlton De Souza, Bowerdean area on 8:02am Thu 24 Apr 08
this is what this built up area was crying out for.
this is what this built up area was crying out for.
Posted by: mariamar mcglinchey, high wycombe on 9:42am Thu 24 Apr 08
This reporter obviouly was not listening to Mrs Rogers properly, she never said that 600 students where 600 too many. What she did say is what all the neighbourhood is saying, which is the buildings are too high for this Valley or anywhere in High Wycombe and 600 students are too many in quantity for the small area they will be forced to live in, for them, however, will only be 3 years penance, for the neighbourhood and Wycombe Town a live sentence, the blocks look a bit better but not great by far, 21 towers as high as 7 storeys and all packed together will look like a beehive of unattactive dwellings against the valleys, not to mention the noise and light pollution resulting from it. Worse is that the Council has ignored their own so called the Wycombe Local PLan, the one they take quickly apply to stop you and I from building exactly the same thing they have given the Uni the go ahead for. This Wycome Local Plan
estates: I quote: Given the varied topography of Wycombe District, it is particularly important that wider views from both higher and lower ground be fully taken into account when considering planning proposals" "development and redevelopment of sites located with in valley floors or upon prominant hills shouls demonstrate to what extent available views have been taken into account" Obviously this Council has ignored his own advise and has open the gates for flooding High Wycombe with High rise, unsinspiring and cheap buildings which will look like slams in no time at all. At present only the Hospital and a couple of industrial buildings look that drab. Well what can we expext from a Planning Department that has build the most "comfortable and inspiring shopping centre for us" It's time to leave this area folks!! Or if you love it and want to stay... let's get rid of this uncaring Planning Department before they do more damage!
This reporter obviouly was not listening to Mrs Rogers properly, she never said that 600 students where 600 too many. What she did say is what all the neighbourhood is saying, which is the buildings are too high for this Valley or anywhere in High Wycombe and 600 students are too many in quantity for the small area they will be forced to live in, for them, however, will only be 3 years penance, for the neighbourhood and Wycombe Town a live sentence, the blocks look a bit better but not great by far, 21 towers as high as 7 storeys and all packed together will look like a beehive of unattactive dwellings against the valleys, not to mention the noise and light pollution resulting from it. Worse is that the Council has ignored their own so called the Wycombe Local PLan, the one they take quickly apply to stop you and I from building exactly the same thing they have given the Uni the go ahead for. This Wycome Local Plan
estates: I quote: Given the varied topography of Wycombe District, it is particularly important that wider views from both higher and lower ground be fully taken into account when considering planning proposals" "development and redevelopment of sites located with in valley floors or upon prominant hills shouls demonstrate to what extent available views have been taken into account" Obviously this Council has ignored his own advise and has open the gates for flooding High Wycombe with High rise, unsinspiring and cheap buildings which will look like slams in no time at all. At present only the Hospital and a couple of industrial buildings look that drab. Well what can we expext from a Planning Department that has build the most "comfortable and inspiring shopping centre for us" It's time to leave this area folks!! Or if you love it and want to stay... let's get rid of this uncaring Planning Department before they do more damage!
Posted by: Jellytussle, Hazlemere on 11:02am Thu 24 Apr 08
The University is one of the largest local employers and the students bring huge amounts of money into the town and make it a more vibrant and exciting place to live and work. It would be so nice if Wycombe could actually be proud of the University instead of constantly carping about it.
The University is one of the largest local employers and the students bring huge amounts of money into the town and make it a more vibrant and exciting place to live and work. It would be so nice if Wycombe could actually be proud of the University instead of constantly carping about it.
Posted by: mariamar mcglinchey, high wycombe on 11:30am Thu 24 Apr 08
Personally, I have never heard anyone carping on about the University per say, but only about a Council who is allowing their bad idea of placing their poor students in a high rise, beehive type of development, situated in a place where will cause more than one or two problems not only for the residents but for the students themselves!
Suspicion is that the Council wants to build more high rise, uninspiring buildings in Wycome and that gives them the precedent they need for them not to be able to turn down further planning applications of this kind!!
Personally, I have never heard anyone carping on about the University per say, but only about a Council who is allowing their bad idea of placing their poor students in a high rise, beehive type of development, situated in a place where will cause more than one or two problems not only for the residents but for the students themselves!
Suspicion is that the Council wants to build more high rise, uninspiring buildings in Wycome and that gives them the precedent they need for them not to be able to turn down further planning applications of this kind!!
Posted by: Mario, Bucks on 12:07pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Let's get this straight: it's not a proper university, it is offering degrees in bed selling for god sake! These universities only exist to massage unemployment figures for the under 25's.
Mariamar is right to point out the Local Plan, Grunge Towers goes against many basic tenets of that policy document.
With regard to Jellytussle's comments, students bring plenty of government money and borrowed money to town, there is no net economic gain for the country.
Most students in higher education today are only there because of the "feel-good factor": the upward housing market allowed mum and dad to borrow and fund the little ones through further education.
A new reality is dawning on us: "son, are you really sure you want that BSc Bed Selling with Cookery, maybe you should just get a job?"
Let's get this straight: it's not a proper university, it is offering degrees in bed selling for god sake! These universities only exist to massage unemployment figures for the under 25's.
Mariamar is right to point out the Local Plan, Grunge Towers goes against many basic tenets of that policy document.
With regard to Jellytussle's comments, students bring plenty of government money and borrowed money to town, there is no net economic gain for the country.
Most students in higher education today are only there because of the "feel-good factor": the upward housing market allowed mum and dad to borrow and fund the little ones through further education.
A new reality is dawning on us: "son, are you really sure you want that BSc Bed Selling with Cookery, maybe you should just get a job?"
Posted by: Kadoogan, Wycombe on 2:18pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I think we should form a mob, complete with flaming torches, and march on the University and demand they all leave.
High Wycombe. It's a local town for local people.
I think we should form a mob, complete with flaming torches, and march on the University and demand they all leave.
High Wycombe. It's a local town for local people.
Posted by: mariamar mcglinchey, high wycombe on 4:14pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Kadoogan, I was disscusing with my neigbours the possibility of doing just that, a march from the Council, they are the ones full of their self importance, to the Uni and back, with the BFP on tow.
Kadoogan, I was disscusing with my neigbours the possibility of doing just that, a march from the Council, they are the ones full of their self importance, to the Uni and back, with the BFP on tow.
Posted by: Nukem!, HWY on 6:55pm Thu 24 Apr 08
The meeting proved last night that WDC are just not willing or care about the views of its residents. Its really time to vote this "sham" of a council out. It was most obvious that the case officer was far out of his depth and that he may as well have been employed by BNU for his bias!!
Its interesting to note that the so called independant architect is featured significantly in the decision. Its interesting to note that Mr Ferguson sat on a panel of judges just last year for The Award for Conservation, the Award for Collections Care and the Student Conservator of the Year Award. The panel consisted of ONLY 8 members. Is it a pure coincidence that out of the hundreds of available candidates for this panel; one of the panel (Dr Rosalind Savill) happened to have an Honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire and Chilterns University College (BCUC) now known as Bucks New University …….. the very applicant in this planning proposal!! I hope that the councillors can be so proud knowing this and still voting it in! I guess the ombudsman will be very interested in this information!
They have done nothing also to address the following which flies in the face of their very own local plan ...... its disgusting that we have to pay these muppets to "shape" the landscape!
[bold]Physical Structure Size and Siting:[/bold]
By virtue of the siting and excessive bulk and size, the proposal would present a dominant feature on the street scene and would be detrimental to the character of the surrounding area. Furthermore the development would present an excessive level of wall massing facing the neighbouring properties which would appear overbearing to the detriment of the amenities to the occupiers of these properties. Seven Storey structures are certainly NOT in keeping with the area. As such the development would fail to comply with Policies G3 (General Design Guidance).
[bold]Parking:[/bold]
The development fails to provide an appropriate level of parking for the number of accommodation rooms proposed. As such the development would result in displaced parking which would be detrimental to the local highway conditions in the area. I have noted also in the apparent “snub” of meetings between WDC Planning and Derek Horne Associates regarding very real parking concerns. As such the development fails to comply with Policy T2 (On-Site Parking and Servicing)
[bold]Noise Pollution:[/bold]
Residents in both sides of the valley, without doubt will be only too aware of the acoustics within the valley. ANY sounds currently, including, but not limited to the local public house, sirens and revellers are easily heard. This is particularly prevalent at night. It would ne naïve to believe that a complex containing hundreds of students will be “quiet”. I would welcome a visit form a planning official late at night to observe the acoustics of the valley at first hand.
The meeting proved last night that WDC are just not willing or care about the views of its residents. Its really time to vote this "sham" of a council out. It was most obvious that the case officer was far out of his depth and that he may as well have been employed by BNU for his bias!!
Its interesting to note that the so called independant architect is featured significantly in the decision. Its interesting to note that Mr Ferguson sat on a panel of judges just last year for The Award for Conservation, the Award for Collections Care and the Student Conservator of the Year Award. The panel consisted of ONLY 8 members. Is it a pure coincidence that out of the hundreds of available candidates for this panel; one of the panel (Dr Rosalind Savill) happened to have an Honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire and Chilterns University College (BCUC) now known as Bucks New University …….. the very applicant in this planning proposal!! I hope that the councillors can be so proud knowing this and still voting it in! I guess the ombudsman will be very interested in this information!
They have done nothing also to address the following which flies in the face of their very own local plan ...... its disgusting that we have to pay these muppets to "shape" the landscape!
Physical Structure Size and Siting:
By virtue of the siting and excessive bulk and size, the proposal would present a dominant feature on the street scene and would be detrimental to the character of the surrounding area. Furthermore the development would present an excessive level of wall massing facing the neighbouring properties which would appear overbearing to the detriment of the amenities to the occupiers of these properties. Seven Storey structures are certainly NOT in keeping with the area. As such the development would fail to comply with Policies G3 (General Design Guidance).
Parking:
The development fails to provide an appropriate level of parking for the number of accommodation rooms proposed. As such the development would result in displaced parking which would be detrimental to the local highway conditions in the area. I have noted also in the apparent “snub” of meetings between WDC Planning and Derek Horne Associates regarding very real parking concerns. As such the development fails to comply with Policy T2 (On-Site Parking and Servicing)
Noise Pollution:
Residents in both sides of the valley, without doubt will be only too aware of the acoustics within the valley. ANY sounds currently, including, but not limited to the local public house, sirens and revellers are easily heard. This is particularly prevalent at night. It would ne naïve to believe that a complex containing hundreds of students will be “quiet”. I would welcome a visit form a planning official late at night to observe the acoustics of the valley at first hand.
Posted by: Town Cryer, Wycombe on 8:55pm Thu 24 Apr 08
yet again rural councillors dumping in town wards
yet again rural councillors dumping in town wards
Posted by: soniam, High Wycombe on 10:36pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I am incensed by the decision made to go ahead with the building.
It's not that the residents are against students or the university, but are rightly concerned by the affect that this building will have on their lives.. everyday! As has been pointed out, the students themselves will only have 3 years to endure the conditions, but residents surrounding the building have built their lives here. It's their homes.. their own deserved space to chill out.
Why haven't any of the council's board listened to their concerns? Probably because they don't live anywhere in the affected area and when they disappear off to their homes after work they don't need to worry about the potential problems that will be caused. Maybe we should park outside their houses and shine lights through their windows to emulate the disturbance that we are fearful of.
As the original plans show, they obviously have not considered surrounding residents and the minor changes that have been made seem to me a quick solution to address the complaints so that they can quickly move on with the job.
This is a disgusting way to operate in our society. If we can't trust the council to take our views into account and to respect us as residents of High Wycombe then frankly, we're screwed!
I am incensed by the decision made to go ahead with the building.
It's not that the residents are against students or the university, but are rightly concerned by the affect that this building will have on their lives.. everyday! As has been pointed out, the students themselves will only have 3 years to endure the conditions, but residents surrounding the building have built their lives here. It's their homes.. their own deserved space to chill out.
Why haven't any of the council's board listened to their concerns? Probably because they don't live anywhere in the affected area and when they disappear off to their homes after work they don't need to worry about the potential problems that will be caused. Maybe we should park outside their houses and shine lights through their windows to emulate the disturbance that we are fearful of.
As the original plans show, they obviously have not considered surrounding residents and the minor changes that have been made seem to me a quick solution to address the complaints so that they can quickly move on with the job.
This is a disgusting way to operate in our society. If we can't trust the council to take our views into account and to respect us as residents of High Wycombe then frankly, we're screwed!
Posted by: mariamar mcglinchey, high wycombe on 12:23pm Fri 25 Apr 08
To all of you who have written in I ask your permission to copy your comments and send the lot to the Uni, the Council and the ombudsman, pls et me know if ok HW 510171
To all of you who have written in I ask your permission to copy your comments and send the lot to the Uni, the Council and the ombudsman, pls et me know if ok HW 510171
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