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Clapton CAAC April 2021

Planning Applications for Clapton CAAC meeting for 15 April 2021

2021/0881 5 Alconbury Road, E5 8RG Construction of a single-storey rear side extension and lower ground floor entrance door in front elevation Full Planning Permission (Kim Aukett)

The Clapton CAAC has no objection to the proposal but as no reason has been given for the basement door we are concerned the application is a gateway to conversion to two flats, which would require additional considerations , e.g. around waste.

2021/0851 Flat 2, 12 Durlston Road, E5 8RR Construction of a rear dormer extending over main roof slope and the rear outrigger (in part) and insertion of three conservation style roof lights in the front roof slope and two roof lights in the rear outrigger. Full Planning Permission (Erin Glancy)

The Clapton CAAC has no objection to the proposal except to the five rooflights at front which are excessive. Similar developments on the street have managed with two.

2021/0955 4 Clapton Terrace, E5 9BW Alterations to the rear elevation of the building including: Insertion of 3 small black boiler flues; replacement of plastic pipework to rear with reinstatement of metal pipework to match; replacement of window to match, with brick arch, removal of concrete lintel; alterations to bricked up area with reinstatement of brick and mortar to match [Retrospective]. Listed Building Consent (Gerard Livett)

The Clapton CAAC has no objection to the proposal but query if the gauged brick header to the new window is reinstatement or a new feature and other windows lack it on drawings.

2021/0721 Marks And Spencer, 351 Mare Street, E8 1JB Advertisement consent and full planning permission (Ref: 2021/0772) for the installation of signage including vinyl window graphic along the Amhurst Road facade, new signage along the Mare Street facade and enamelled signage along Brett Road. Advertisement Consent (Kelsi Bolstad)

and

2021/0772 Marks And Spencer, 351 Mare Street, E8 1JB Full planning permission and advertisement consent (ref: 2021/0721) for the replacement of the shop front along the Mare Street facade with new framed glazing and new entrance door, removal of shopfront along the Amhurst Road facade including the relocation of fire doors and other minor alterations. Full Planning Permission (Kelsi Bolstad)

The Clapton CAAC considered these applications together and raises the following objections. The exterior vinyl advertisements on both Amhurst Rd, but in particular Mare St, are an unwelcome addition that effectively remove windows which help activate the high street. The proposal replaces them with billboards. Because they are applied externally they will rapidly deteriorate and exacerbate the problem. Although permission may not be needed for internal vinyl we would discourage the applicant from taking that route as it would still harm the street scene. As recent Google Street Views show, the windows displays are far less imposing, are more inviting and are a more positive contributor if they contain displays. Even where the majority of the window contains advertising materials the presence is improved when it has been set back internally from the glazed surface as it helps the shopfront read properly as windows to a shop.

We note the location has a sensitive heritage context and design of the Mare St elevation must be of the highest quality. The proposed flat-glazed shopfront removes the historic late-1930s shopfront with its two inset doorways. These are typical designs of the time and as well as affording customers some protection from the elements as they come and go, they compliment the elevation above. This loss is to be resisted as it is to the detriment of the fine elevation of the historic portion of the store, and as the rest of the application offers no improvement to the Amhurst Rd elevation to mitigate this harm.

In fact this is a missed opportunity to activate Amhurst Rd and create a cultural improvement to the street scene for a dismal segment of high street which has been left wanting for too long. A coherent, well designed plan, to activate this elevation might well have mitigated the harm caused by the proposed loss of the inset shopfront on Mare Street.

2021/0765 Marks And Spencer, 351 Mare Street, E8 1JB Replacement of plant equipment with new conditioning units and equipment at roof level. Full Planning Permission (Kelsi Bolstad)