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THE CURRENT PLANNING APPLICATION
On October 15 2009 a planning application was registered with the Council to convert Jumbo to two penthouses, two flats, a restaurant and office space spread over 10 floors. Due to its complexity and importance, the hearing will not be until at least March 2010. Comments are still currently being registered. Details of the application can be seen on the Council website here. We appeal to you to object to this application by clicking 'Comment on application' on the above web page, stating your opposition and giving your reasons. Alternatively email planning.services@colchester.gov.uk quoting application number 091305 If you support the aims of Balkerne Tower Trust, please include this in your comments. You are welcome to contact us with your view. Here is a copy of our submitted comments (pdf). If you want to use any of these in you own comments, please do not copy and paste them, but use your own wording. The most important objection is that the far less intrusive proposal of Balkerne Tower Trust should be considered prior to any proposal which drastically alters the character of Jumbo. If approved, the most likely result is that the applicant's scheme will never be carried out as - like the previous penthouse scheme - it is not commercially viable. Jumbo could stand with another five years with nothing happening except further deterioration of this grade II* building. Some other reasons for objection are:
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COMMENTS
Having considered the proposals carefully we wish to state our very strongest objection to the proposals and recommend that your Council refuse consent. The applicant's own analysis of viability shows the scheme to be unviable. Proper consideration has not been given to the alternative of preserving the tower as a monument. The justification for what is proposed seems incomplete. In summary we cannot support the current proposals and we agree with English Heritage (their letter of 18th November) that determination should be deferred to "explore the viability of both the proposed scheme and of the alternative of preserving the tower as a monument more fully" ...a better future for Jumbo will be brought about by the imaginative and sensitive proposal put forward by Colchester architects Purcell Miller Tritton on behalf of Colchester-based group Balkerne Tower Trust - people who really care about Colchester and its heritage. What is needed is a more sensitive approach concentrating on retaining and reusing the existing historic features. We believe that such a project should take into account the aims and ambitions of the Balkerne Tower Trust, which we support. |