An application has been submitted to bulldoze Godalming’s historic Old Fire Station in Queen Street to build 6 flats – Waverley Ref: WA/2014/1228
I would object on design grounds alone – these flats with balconies would impact on the Conservation Area, and are more suited to a sea front, than views over Flambard Way. There should be some way of retaining the historic doors – a feature of Godalming since 1904. This is also a terrible loss of employment land, particularly small office space. This really should be designated as a Community Asset:
Here’s the developers proposal [pdf].
Background:
I started my business at The Old Fire Station in 1995 when it was Surrey County Council’s Self Start workshops; a mix of office space and very rare small workshop space for young people to try out their business ideas, whilst being supported by business mentors. I became Chairman of Self Start between 2000 -2005, interviewing prospective tenants and providing mentoring support. Throughout this period Surrey frequently reviewed their Economic Development as it was a non statutory service, even though they were supporting young people; so much so that after 10 years there were no economic development officers left at Surrey CC. To eliminate the cost centre completely, the service was transferred to Farnham Maltings, who managed the building with a focus on artists, until Surrey refused to renew their lease, as reported in April 2013.
Gavin Stride from Farnham Maltings confirmed this week “the developers can’t even get the story straight – it was Surrey that terminated the lease” [Item 2.3.2]
The developers state “As part of the review SCC also identified that the building was financially unviable to maintain in its aging condition, at the low rates of rent offered to the artists, and as such made the decision to sell the building on the open market.” It was a SUBSIDISED workplace for young people, it wasn’t designed to be a profit centre! I walk regularly walk past the building, and there has never been any for sale notice posted on the building, or advertising, so I would question any marketing that the Council has done.
“The maintenance required for the dilapidated existing building results in a future venture with the artists financially unfeasible due to the low rates of rent previously charged.” That was Surrey County Council’s business model and its remit. You can’t use that as a reason to demolish the building.
This is clearly contrary to Waverley Policy D3 “As the proposal will replace an existing redundant structure there will be no loss of undeveloped land.” This is a serious loss of B1 office space.
History:
Built in 1904 and operational until 1980. More details on the fascinating service and history here. This building is an important Heritage Asset for Godalming under Policy HE10: “The Council will seek to protect and conserve heritage features by ensuring that: new development will be located and designed so as to preserve the features. Where this is not possible, careful attention needs to be given to minimise damage or disturbance to a feature.”
Unfortunately the building isn’t in the Godalming Conservation Area, but its historical importance, alongside the Victoria Coach Works (now Prezzo next door) should be worth preserving for Godalming. The blue line shows the close proximity to the Conservation Area:
This is against Waverley Policy TC9, and would NOT enhance the Town Centre.
Employment Land:
The Developers seem to think this is a ‘Non-Residential Institution’ (D1) used ‘As ancillary space to the Farnham Maltings Art Gallery’. This is wrong as it was used recently as office space by Preface Design, an Animation studio and a sculptor Gina McAdam. It is clearly office space and workshop. They go on to state: “Queen Street is predominantly retail on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the floors above.” That is exactly what should be created here – there is an urgent need for mixed use offices or even live/work units. Clearly this is Office Space (B2) and Workshop Space. Waverley’s 2014 Employment Land Review (a summary of which was only published this week) states that the borough will need to plan for up to 10 hectares of brownfield to support small and medium sizes businesses. There are no sites planned for this in Godalming. On the contrary, office space is vanishing at an astonishing rate, due to the Government’s ‘Prior Notification’ scheme that allows offices to convert to flats without Planning Permission. Most of Catteshall Lane, Craven House near the station, Ockford Mill, Highfield, Roebuck House & Latimer House in Brighton Road, 78 Meadrow and many more are changing to housing. Where will people work in Godalming?
Need for Housing:
The Neighbourhood Plan heard from Waverley that there is a need for 238 affordable social rented houses in Godalming. This development is only market housing and so doesn’t contribute to that need. Although Waverley doesn’t have a 5 Year Housing supply (as required by the Government), Godalming certainly does, with up to 950 planning permissions already in the next plan period, with a need for only 100 houses to be allocated on green fields, OVER THE NEXT 18 YEARS. This isn’t a significant contributor to housing, but is a significant and important employment site. Where will all these people work in the future?
To submit comments to Waverley click here and type in WA/2014/1228 and go to ‘Online Comment’