The two Labour Councillors representing the Old Town area, Councillor Nadine Watts (Councillor for Old Town Ward) and Paul Dixon (Councillor for Eastcott Ward) have welcomed the withdrawal of plans to build a 14 story, high-rise tower block in Old Town.
The two Labour Councillors representing the Old Town area, Councillor Nadine Watts (Councillor for Old Town Ward) and Paul Dixon (Councillor for Eastcott Ward) have welcomed the withdrawal of plans to build a 14 story, high-rise tower block in Old Town.
On Thursday new plans were presented by the potential new owner of Newspaper House on Victoria Road.
In a joint statement, Old Town Councillor, Nadine Watts, and Eastcott Councillor, Paul Dixon, said:
“We are opposed to plans to build a high-rise tower block in the heart of Old Town and we welcome common sense prevailing with the withdrawal of plans presented last week.
Even before you took in to account some of the planning considerations such as parking, the outline plan that has now been withdrawn misunderstood the unique character of Old Town. The size and style of the high rise building would not have fitted the character of Old Town at all. Old Town is built on nineteenth and early twentieth century architecture so the proposed apartment block would have not only changed the skyline but eroded the architectural character of Old Town.
The proposed developer for this proposal said a high-rise building could have lead regeneration in the Old Town area but we disagree with this. We believe the regeneration Old Town requires should build on the architectural character of Old Town. The Corn Exchange development is an example of how regeneration in Old Town can be achieved without breaking from the character of the area.
Old Town is so successful as a community because its residents and businesses work together to develop shared aspirations for the area, so a development of this nature which hadn’t been worked up with local people would have been wrong.”