Concerns raised over visual impact of £175m marina plan at forum
THE visual impact of scores of new homes in the redevelopment of Noss on the River Dart is one of the key issues for planners as they decide the future of a £175million scheme.
Other issues include the viability of the marine workshops planned as part of the major project, the loss of a part of the River Dart industrial heritage and the scale of the proposed marina.
All of these were highlighted in a groundbreaking public planning forum designed to give the public a better understanding of the scheme and the developers a chance to address concerns ahead of any planning decision.
The first forum of its kind to be held in Devon, it went ahead at Follaton House attended by members of the South Hams development control committee, developers, local organisations and members of the public.
South Hams planning boss Steve Munday pinpointed the visual impact of the scheme on the River Dart as possibly the key issue.
He said: "We must be aware of what you will lose."
Stephen Corner, a shareholder in the company which owns the 36-acre site beside the Dart at Kingswear, outlined the proposals which include an expansion of the existing marina, a marine academy, a five-star hotel, a boat yard, offices, workshops, a conference centre and new homes — some of which will be built on stilts out into the river.
He stressed that everything except the housing and the marina was a 'negative' as far as finances were concerned, but said the development would bring 330 jobs to what is currently a 'scene of dereliction', some 200 of which would be new.
The developers aim to pump £12million into the local community – mainly to pay for affordable housing along with £1million towards a new indoor swimming pool for Dartmouth.
The scheme was given the backing of Kingswear Parish Council and South Devon College which already has 80 students on site and expects that to rise to some 300 in the future.
But Michael Calder from the National Trust, which owns the next door Longwood beauty spot and Agatha Christie's former home at Greenway which has views of the site down the Dart, warned the development would forever change what is 'an area of seclusion' because of the scale of the development.
Dart harbour chairman Simon Elliott said there were concerns the size of the boatyard was 'optimistic' and existing marine businesses would be priced out of the new workshops.
Dartmouth and Kingswear Society representative Doug Twigg warned at low tide the new riverside homes would tower some 25m above the waterline.
4 Comments
by Peter Sutton, Totnes
Friday, March 12 2010, 4:17PM
“An amusing part of the presentation came when the National Trust representative spoke of Noss Creek being a place of beauty and tranquility immediately after a slide had been shown of the Creek being adjacent to the thriving shipyard and with 4 or 5 very large ships moored in the river right in front of the National Trust woodland!”
by David James, Dartmouth
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:13PM
“Dear Editor, I was also at the Forum and my impression was of a very positive response to the South Hams Council's initiative in setting up an open Planning Forum and overwhelming positive support for the regeneration of a derelict site on the river Dart.
Your reporter has gone out of his way to only picked out the negative comments, which were very much in the minority, and in no way has fairly reported on the mood or substance of the Forum.
The positive comments from the Kingswear Parish Council, the the Royal Institute of British Architects, a marine company, SHCD Councillors and the Sooth Hams Case Officer for the planning application were all ignored.
The redevelopment at Noss will provide a major boost to the local economy with jobs, educational opportunities and new marine facilities. The opening of the previously gated site to the public with a new level pedestrian boardwalk from Kingswear and Dartmouth will bring this important heritage site back into the community in a way that it was the major employer as a shipyard many years ago. The increased marina size (supported by the Dart Harbour Board) will reduce the long waiting lists for berths on the river, create marine jobs and feed much needed spending into all the local businesses.
The input of £12 million for local affordable housing and £1 million towards the Dartmouth indoor swimming pool fund show that this major site will benefit the whole community.
As for the visual impact, my feeling is that replacing broken down derelict sheds with a dynamic new working and living community connected to the river, Kingswear and Dartmouth with new ferries and public access can only be a positive benefit.
Is it not time that your newspaper supported such major initiatives?”
by Phil Howling, Kingswear
Friday, March 12 2010, 11:48AM
“I have to say that I was surprised by this report, and fully agree with the comments made by Mr St George. The reporter may well have been entering and leaving the room on a frequent basis to have so clearly missed the overall message of support for this project!
What a shame that so much undue attention is once again focussed on the negatives by the press when there was so clearly such strong support for the much needed Noss project from most people in the room.”
by Charles St George, Somerset
Thursday, March 11 2010, 4:58PM
“Was your reporter at the same meeting as everyone else?
I was there and noted that of the 8 members of the public who spoke about the Noss plans, 5 were wholly in favour, 2 were in favour of re-development (with reservations) and only 1 was opposed.
Yet your reporter focused his story on the supposed adverse visual impact of the development and simply ignored the impassioned pleas from the locals for the site to be regenerated, local marine jobs created, public access to Noss opened up and training opportunities given to local youngsters through the excellent Noss Marine Academy run by South Devon College.
What about the visual impact of the plans in any event? As several speaker pointed out - but not your reporter of course - the existing site consists of a large number of mainly derelict and mostly ugly industrial buildings on the banks of the beautiful River Dart. Any well-designed scheme is going to improve the visual appearance of the area rather than detract from it.
The most ridiculous argument advanced at the meeting was from your reporter's National Trust hero who extolled the tranquility of the Noss site. As the South Hams planning officer pointed out, the site wasn't exactly tranquil when it was operating full tilt as a shipyard!
The Herald Express and its reporters really need to avoid falling into the trap of focusing on a tiny minority of NIMBYs who want to stop any form of development at Noss.
This development is desparately needed as a boost for the local economy and to provide meaningful training and employment opportunities for many younger people in South Devon.
And, incidentally, the Herald Express needs a strong local economy and younger readers if
is going to avoid the same fate as large-scale shipbuilding at Noss.”