A PROPOSAL for a new residential and commercial development in the heart of Southwold received a blow last night when town councillors voted to oppose the development.
By David Lennard
A PROPOSAL for a new residential and commercial development in the heart of Southwold received a blow last night when town councillors voted to oppose the development.
Brewing giant Adnams is shortly moving its distribution centre to a purpose-built warehouse complex at nearby Reydon and last week unveiled plans to develop their existing site in Victoria Street.
London-based architects Ash Sakula have designed a complex that includes 34 residential properties, including 10 “affordable” homes, a café, shop and market square.
However, Southwold Town Council's policy and finance committee voted to oppose the plans “in their present form”.
Peter Webb said: “There is a sameness about the design and it looks rather like a housing estate.
“There are also issues over car parking spaces for the new homes and the present design of the proposal is not one we can support.”
Former mayor Geraldine Bryant also voted to oppose the development.
“I am sad to be voting against this proposal because in some ways it is innovative and exciting. But I believe there is just too much for this very important site in the town,” she said.
Fellow councillor John Windell said: “It looks like they have sacrificed design to get as much as possible out of a small space.”
Councillors did like some aspects of the design, however, including the pedestrian access through the complex that would link the town centre with residential streets.
Despite being the single biggest development proposed for Southwold for many years the project failed to interest local residents.
There was only one letter about the project from a nearby resident and no member of the public attended last night's meeting to give their views of the proposal to town councillors.
“In view of the fact that this is such a major development in the very heart of Southwold I am amazed at the lack of public interest,” said Cllr John Winter.
The proposal will go before Waveney District Council's rural area development committee later this year.
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