There is a major proposal to renovate the old dairy at 31 St Petersburgh Place, recently a marketing suite for the Whiteley, home to a Guillam Coffee house and a private office tenant. The building’s new owner proposes to make it a high quality permanent home for their worldwide operations. Guillam and the office tenant will remain in place for the medium term.
BIG architects, a globally prominent practice involved, for example, in the Google buildings at Kings Cross and Mountain View California have responded to local feedback from St Matthew’s and St Sophia’s, Chapel Side residents, BRA and SEBRA, as well as feedback from a drop-in event organised for the local community. They have now submitted an ambitious planning application. This proposal has responded to local feedback in a number of ways:
Height and Massing
The proposed roof facing Chapel Side was significantly lowered at three points to reduce its visual impact on neighbours. The high point of the roof was moved towards the centre of the massing, further away from properties on Chapel Side. Proposed views from Moscow Road, St Petersburgh Place and Chapel Side can been seen below.
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Light Spill
In response to concerns about light spill, sensor-controlled lighting was incorporated into the scheme to ensure lights are not left on in rooms after use. Automated blinds were introduced to the relevant elevations, to mitigate the impact of light spill at night.
Overlooking
Obscured glazing was introduced along the western façades facing Chapel Side to provide a further buffer to the adjoining homes. To further respect privacy and prevent overlooking, the heights of the edge planters were significantly increased.
External Space
The plans propose local improvements to the external space to the rear of the building, between the site and 30-34 Chapel Side.
Specific Conditions
These are offered to protect the amenity of neighbours, including:
- Hours for refuse/recycling collection
- Hours for the depositing of refuse/recycling into the external bins
- Hours for operation of the proposed retail use
- Hours during which the external terraces can be used and the purpose for which they can be used
- Noise limits for plant
- Hours for deployment of blinds
- Height and maintenance requirements for planting at building edges
The changes to the original proposal take account of many of the concerns expressed in the consultation. BRA is asking that the specific conditions listed above are made an explicit part of the planning approval.
Please tell BRA your views on this proposal: membership@bayswaterresidents.org