Latest news with #ConservationArea
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans filed to transform town's old school into homes
An old school in Trowbridge could be transformed into seven homes after a planning application was filed with the council. On Monday, August 4, local firm Stone Developments filed plans to convert Trinity Education Centre, on Park Street, into five two-bed homes, and two three-bed homes. The application states that the process of conversion would mean the need for partial demolition of the building, and would create associated amenity space as well as bin and cycle storage for each property. According to a statement attached to the plans, the centre is currently vacant, and lies in the Trowbridge Conservation Area, with the scheme proposed offering 'a long-term future of a characterful historic building through sensitive reuse, contributing positively to local housing supply and neighbourhood character.' Under the proposals, all of the proposed dwellings with be within the existing footprint and roofline of the former school. 'Unsympathetic' later single-storey additions will be removed as part of what developers say will 'improve spatial quality and layout.' As stated in the plans, the design prioritises the 'retention and enhancement of the building's original appearance'. This means existing material will be used wherever possible, including reclaimed stone, with conservation rooflights 'discreetly inserted' to offer better lighting to upper floors. The intention of such a design approach is to make sure 'the scheme preserves the distinctive appearance of the former school and reinforces the character' of the area. Suggested reading: Latest update after splash pad's 'technical issues' forced closure Town's Claire's shop could be at risk as chain plunged into bankruptcy Details as Wiltshire pub closed for years hits the market Stone Development is one of the region's best-known firms, having played a key role in sensitively developing other historic sites in Trowbridge. As reported in this paper last July, the company completed redevelopment of the old Knees building on the corner of Fore Street and Castle Street. In 2023, Kerry and Craig Stone from Stone Developments Wiltshire submitted plans to transform the unused upper floors of the former department store into nine apartments, with three commercial retail shops, including Costa Coffee, on the ground floor. At the time, the listing described the restored site as an "impressive and attractive 1889 Bath Stone building which also offers enviable rooftop views across Trowbridge all within walking distance of the majority of amenities, bus routes and the railway station". Earlier this year, this paper reported that the Tabernacle development – a project that has transformed the United Reform Church on Church Street into 29 character properties – had been recognised for its contribution to town. Anne and Vincent Oddie, and Colin Boyce, all of Ingenic Developments, were given the Trowbridge Enhancement Award at the Trowbridge Civic Dinner on the evening of Saturday, March 22.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Killjoys': Jerry Schwartz's hotel carousel plans rejected
Hotelier Jerry Schwartz says he is "very disappointed" his plans for a carousel at Rydges Newcastle have been thwarted for a second time. Schwartz Family Company, owned by Dr Schwartz, lodged plans in April 2025 for a mechanical carousel to be built in the garden area of the Rydges Hotel, adjacent to the Newcastle harbour foreshore. The $25,000 amusement ride would have been seven metres wide and 6.5 metres tall and was planned for the exclusive use of hotel guests. Newcastle council refused the plans due to concerns about urban design, built form, character, visual amenity and heritage. The council had requested the application be withdrawn. City of Newcastle's principal development officer (planning), William Toose, said in the request to withdraw that the carousel was not compatible with the character for the harbour foreshore or city centre. "In its locality the carousel will be highly visible from the public domain, where foreshore views and streetscape character should be maintained through the conscientious design of buildings and ancillary structures," Mr Toose said. "The form, scale, and appearance of the structure are not sympathetic to the setting and will detract from the qualities of natural and built environment, while providing minimal public benefit." The site is within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area. The council said the proposal failed to contribute to the "rich mixture of architecture styles and built form character" in the foreshore precinct and was inconsistent with the conservation area. The request to withdraw said such "visually prominent" structures were typically initiated by public authorities, and designed to be "fully accessible and clearly in the public interest". Dr Schwartz said he was "very disappointed" with the refusal as it missed "an opportunity to make the Newcastle CBD more tourist friendly". He said cities such as London, Sydney and Melbourne had "vast" ferris wheels which added "real life and energy to the visitor experience". "These were cities that understood the value of adding family-friendly facilities for visitors," Dr Schwartz said. "What we proposed for the area outside the Rydges was far more modest. "The hotel is targeting the family market. We've added a waterslide and play area because the market to Newcastle has changed since COVID. "There is less business travel and more family travel and the city needs to respond to these changes in travel trends." It is the second time Dr Schwartz's plans for a carousel on the hotel grounds have been refused. Plans lodged in 2023 were also refused by the council in January 2024 on the grounds that the carousel was "contrary to the public interest", would have an "unreasonable impact on the environment" and was not consistent with parts of the local environmental plan. Dr Schwartz said when the original submission was rejected, the company took on board the comments and he believed they were addressed in the second plan. "We were more than happy to make concessions and make the carousel fit in with the location as harmoniously as possible," he said. "Frankly, I think the council are being killjoys. I hope they will review their decision as it sends a bad message to visitors, especially families." Hotelier Jerry Schwartz says he is "very disappointed" his plans for a carousel at Rydges Newcastle have been thwarted for a second time. Schwartz Family Company, owned by Dr Schwartz, lodged plans in April 2025 for a mechanical carousel to be built in the garden area of the Rydges Hotel, adjacent to the Newcastle harbour foreshore. The $25,000 amusement ride would have been seven metres wide and 6.5 metres tall and was planned for the exclusive use of hotel guests. Newcastle council refused the plans due to concerns about urban design, built form, character, visual amenity and heritage. The council had requested the application be withdrawn. City of Newcastle's principal development officer (planning), William Toose, said in the request to withdraw that the carousel was not compatible with the character for the harbour foreshore or city centre. "In its locality the carousel will be highly visible from the public domain, where foreshore views and streetscape character should be maintained through the conscientious design of buildings and ancillary structures," Mr Toose said. "The form, scale, and appearance of the structure are not sympathetic to the setting and will detract from the qualities of natural and built environment, while providing minimal public benefit." The site is within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area. The council said the proposal failed to contribute to the "rich mixture of architecture styles and built form character" in the foreshore precinct and was inconsistent with the conservation area. The request to withdraw said such "visually prominent" structures were typically initiated by public authorities, and designed to be "fully accessible and clearly in the public interest". Dr Schwartz said he was "very disappointed" with the refusal as it missed "an opportunity to make the Newcastle CBD more tourist friendly". He said cities such as London, Sydney and Melbourne had "vast" ferris wheels which added "real life and energy to the visitor experience". "These were cities that understood the value of adding family-friendly facilities for visitors," Dr Schwartz said. "What we proposed for the area outside the Rydges was far more modest. "The hotel is targeting the family market. We've added a waterslide and play area because the market to Newcastle has changed since COVID. "There is less business travel and more family travel and the city needs to respond to these changes in travel trends." It is the second time Dr Schwartz's plans for a carousel on the hotel grounds have been refused. Plans lodged in 2023 were also refused by the council in January 2024 on the grounds that the carousel was "contrary to the public interest", would have an "unreasonable impact on the environment" and was not consistent with parts of the local environmental plan. Dr Schwartz said when the original submission was rejected, the company took on board the comments and he believed they were addressed in the second plan. "We were more than happy to make concessions and make the carousel fit in with the location as harmoniously as possible," he said. "Frankly, I think the council are being killjoys. I hope they will review their decision as it sends a bad message to visitors, especially families." Hotelier Jerry Schwartz says he is "very disappointed" his plans for a carousel at Rydges Newcastle have been thwarted for a second time. Schwartz Family Company, owned by Dr Schwartz, lodged plans in April 2025 for a mechanical carousel to be built in the garden area of the Rydges Hotel, adjacent to the Newcastle harbour foreshore. The $25,000 amusement ride would have been seven metres wide and 6.5 metres tall and was planned for the exclusive use of hotel guests. Newcastle council refused the plans due to concerns about urban design, built form, character, visual amenity and heritage. The council had requested the application be withdrawn. City of Newcastle's principal development officer (planning), William Toose, said in the request to withdraw that the carousel was not compatible with the character for the harbour foreshore or city centre. "In its locality the carousel will be highly visible from the public domain, where foreshore views and streetscape character should be maintained through the conscientious design of buildings and ancillary structures," Mr Toose said. "The form, scale, and appearance of the structure are not sympathetic to the setting and will detract from the qualities of natural and built environment, while providing minimal public benefit." The site is within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area. The council said the proposal failed to contribute to the "rich mixture of architecture styles and built form character" in the foreshore precinct and was inconsistent with the conservation area. The request to withdraw said such "visually prominent" structures were typically initiated by public authorities, and designed to be "fully accessible and clearly in the public interest". Dr Schwartz said he was "very disappointed" with the refusal as it missed "an opportunity to make the Newcastle CBD more tourist friendly". He said cities such as London, Sydney and Melbourne had "vast" ferris wheels which added "real life and energy to the visitor experience". "These were cities that understood the value of adding family-friendly facilities for visitors," Dr Schwartz said. "What we proposed for the area outside the Rydges was far more modest. "The hotel is targeting the family market. We've added a waterslide and play area because the market to Newcastle has changed since COVID. "There is less business travel and more family travel and the city needs to respond to these changes in travel trends." It is the second time Dr Schwartz's plans for a carousel on the hotel grounds have been refused. Plans lodged in 2023 were also refused by the council in January 2024 on the grounds that the carousel was "contrary to the public interest", would have an "unreasonable impact on the environment" and was not consistent with parts of the local environmental plan. Dr Schwartz said when the original submission was rejected, the company took on board the comments and he believed they were addressed in the second plan. "We were more than happy to make concessions and make the carousel fit in with the location as harmoniously as possible," he said. "Frankly, I think the council are being killjoys. I hope they will review their decision as it sends a bad message to visitors, especially families." Hotelier Jerry Schwartz says he is "very disappointed" his plans for a carousel at Rydges Newcastle have been thwarted for a second time. Schwartz Family Company, owned by Dr Schwartz, lodged plans in April 2025 for a mechanical carousel to be built in the garden area of the Rydges Hotel, adjacent to the Newcastle harbour foreshore. The $25,000 amusement ride would have been seven metres wide and 6.5 metres tall and was planned for the exclusive use of hotel guests. Newcastle council refused the plans due to concerns about urban design, built form, character, visual amenity and heritage. The council had requested the application be withdrawn. City of Newcastle's principal development officer (planning), William Toose, said in the request to withdraw that the carousel was not compatible with the character for the harbour foreshore or city centre. "In its locality the carousel will be highly visible from the public domain, where foreshore views and streetscape character should be maintained through the conscientious design of buildings and ancillary structures," Mr Toose said. "The form, scale, and appearance of the structure are not sympathetic to the setting and will detract from the qualities of natural and built environment, while providing minimal public benefit." The site is within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area. The council said the proposal failed to contribute to the "rich mixture of architecture styles and built form character" in the foreshore precinct and was inconsistent with the conservation area. The request to withdraw said such "visually prominent" structures were typically initiated by public authorities, and designed to be "fully accessible and clearly in the public interest". Dr Schwartz said he was "very disappointed" with the refusal as it missed "an opportunity to make the Newcastle CBD more tourist friendly". He said cities such as London, Sydney and Melbourne had "vast" ferris wheels which added "real life and energy to the visitor experience". "These were cities that understood the value of adding family-friendly facilities for visitors," Dr Schwartz said. "What we proposed for the area outside the Rydges was far more modest. "The hotel is targeting the family market. We've added a waterslide and play area because the market to Newcastle has changed since COVID. "There is less business travel and more family travel and the city needs to respond to these changes in travel trends." It is the second time Dr Schwartz's plans for a carousel on the hotel grounds have been refused. Plans lodged in 2023 were also refused by the council in January 2024 on the grounds that the carousel was "contrary to the public interest", would have an "unreasonable impact on the environment" and was not consistent with parts of the local environmental plan. Dr Schwartz said when the original submission was rejected, the company took on board the comments and he believed they were addressed in the second plan. "We were more than happy to make concessions and make the carousel fit in with the location as harmoniously as possible," he said. "Frankly, I think the council are being killjoys. I hope they will review their decision as it sends a bad message to visitors, especially families."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Netting to be replaced due to birds destroying it
The netting of a Grade II-listed building will be replaced after it was destroyed by the same birds it was meant to deter. Westmorland and Furness Council approved the application for a property in Barrow's Duke Street. According to documents, new protection was needed after bird "attacks" left the existing netting holed and frayed. "These birds create a nuisance to the building occupiers and create mess and dirt on facade of the building," the application said. It said the barrier aimed to keep birds from nesting on the elevations of the structure or landing on the ledges and cornices. The building dates back to 1873 and sits within the Central Barrow Conservation Area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Westmorland and Furness Council
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Scientific expedition workshop to propel Sungai Pin Conservation Area towards IUCN Green List goal
Indra Sunjoto (fourth right) and Nazlan Mohamad (third right) with other officials on stage during the opening ceremony of the workshop. KOTA KINABALU (July 1): The Forest Research Centre (FRC), under the Sabah Forestry Department, successfully co-organized the 'Bengkel Ekspedisi Saintifik Sg. Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) Siri 2' on June 30 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan. The initiative is a public-private collaboration with the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit of the Sawit Kinabalu Group. It stems from a stakeholder engagement proposal following the recent SPnCA expedition held in September 2024. The workshop aimed to present key findings from the 2024 scientific expedition and ecosystem services assessment, in comparison with the findings five years ago from the first expedition; reflect on social and community insights, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to the conservation area; forge a shared direction towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management; and to support SPnCA's journey toward IUCN Green List recognition by 2028, a pioneering goal for an oil palm-managed conservation site. More than 100 participants, including community stakeholders, NGOs and government agencies, joined together to contribute their perspectives and expertise. The Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning & Management), Indra Sunjoto, represented the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, to officiate the event. The Sawit Kinabalu Group was represented by its Chief Sustainability Officer, Nazlan Mohamad. The programme began with a project overview and featured nine research presentations across three thematic sessions in the morning. This was followed by interactive breakout discussions and a final plenary session to consolidate recommendations for future management, focusing on biodiversity monitoring, threat mitigation, and stakeholder collaboration. The outcomes of the workshop will support Sawit Kinabalu's commitment to the IUCN Green List and further drive SPnCA's ambition to become the first conservation site in Malaysia led by an oil palm company to meet international protected area standards. The Sabah Forestry Department remains a dedicated partner, working alongside the Sawit Kinabalu Group to align science, policy, and public engagement in advancing sustainable forest management and conservation leadership in Sabah.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Plans to transform iconic Glasgow nightclub take major step forward
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue have taken a major step forward after being submitted to councillors. The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art. 5 The O2 ABC suffered extensive damage after the blaze at the Glasgow School of Art in June 2018 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Bulldozers demolished the building in October 2024 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 5 New plans will see the site turned into a new development with student accommodation Credit: VITA GROUP The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018. Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door. And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore". But in January year, plans were revealed to revive the site by developer Vita Group to transform it into modern student accommodation. The plans involve tearing down the C-listed building and replacing it with the new development, which would house 356 students. This first part was carried out in the following October with bulldozers demolishing the huge building. Around 306 of the spaces will be in four, five and six-bedroom flats, and there will also be 50 studio apartments in the new complex. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. There would also be space for bars, a gym and a courtyard. The firm previously said it believes adding the private student halls to the site will help revitalise one of Scotland's busiest streets, which has been left to fall into a "sad and sorry" state. Huge fire erupts at Glasgow School of Art before spreading to O2 music venue as Sauchiehall Street is evacuated And now, councillors have been urged to approve the new plans after an application was submitted this week. However, the document submitted to Glasgow City Council admits that the proposed plans have a "significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area", according to the Glasgow Times. It adds that "the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area". However, despite this, councillors are still being recommended to approve the new development. The official recommendation states that "this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site". This is because the new site could bring a huge £70million investment to Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street if it is successful. James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, told the Glasgow Times: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. DJ playing Glasgow's O2 ABC at time of School of Art fire tells of 'blind panic' THE O2 ABC DJ who was playing at the time of the massive blaze which tore the building apart has described the moment the club was evacuated during his set. Grant Robertson, 24, was playing the club with his friend Lewis Wake at the time of the fire which started in the Glasgow School of Art. The flames spread to the adjacent O2 ABC and Campus nightclub and the roof of the Sauchiehall Street club was engulfed in a raging inferno. Grant and Lewis were interrupted by security guards who urged them to turn the music off and get out of the building. He said: "It was crazy and bizarre. It was a blind panic. It was about 11pm when we were ushered out. "Security did a great job - they came up and told us to turn the music off and said 'the Art School is on fire everybody needs to get out.' "Everyone was ushered to the exits and even on the street the did a good job of shepherding folk out. "I was just in shock. I was on auto pilot. It still hasn't sunk in." Read the story here 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The ABC building was first built in 1875 and was later rebuilt in the 1920s, and has had several renovations over the years. Before it had been tragically burnt down in the fire, it was regarded as one of the city's busiest and most distinguished live-music venues. It currently sits between Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building. 5 Councillors have been urged to approve the new plans Credit: VITA GROUP
