Birds and Beer: Tourist Proposals

Showing posts with label Tourist Proposals. Show all posts

WHITLINGHAM: Poll results

22nd July 2012

Many thanks to everyone who voted in the Whitlingham poll, which is now closed. As expected the majority were against any alterations, an understandable view but sadly not one that will happen. Two people were in favour of turning it back into a quarry - this was suggested to me when discussing plans for Thorpe Marsh recently, the point being that quarries can be better for birds than sterile lakes. Interesting Lafarge (who created Whitlingham) currently have a large quarry (Mangreen Quarry) just south of Norwich near Dunston. Unfortunately there is no nearby public access, and I believe the plans are to return it to agricultural land once quarrying is complete.

Of the three people that did vote for one of the three proposals, all of them went for Feilden & Mawson, which includes the Spa with built in restaurant. There was an emphasis on zero-carbon holidaying and the possibility of a bird hide (where I wonder?). This proposal has one other thing going for it that I didn't tell you before - whilst not mentioned in the details, a close look at the birds in the top right corner of one of their artists impressions suggests that they will look to introduce a Gigrin-style Red Kite feeding station.

WHITLINGHAM: Consultation deadline tomorrow

Just a reminder to anyone that wishes to have a say and hasn't, tomorrow is the final deadline for commenting on the three tourist proposals for Whitlingham C.P. The form is rather brief, you have to rate each proposal 0-5, and there is space to comment on what sort of facilities & accommodation you would like to see.

One of the proposals will be chosen over the summer, and the chosen architects appointed in the autumn. Another (presumably equally brief) public consultation has been promised this year, before a planning application is made in Spring 2013, which will also be subject to a public consultation.

The Broads Authority are the planning authority for Whitlingham C.P. Their draft document on the subject states:

Whitlingham C.P. will continue to be managed to provide recreation and quiet enjoyment. Further development of buildings will be supported where they:

Contribute positively to the river valley landscape and the setting of Crown Point Estate.
Avoid a proliferation of buildings in the area and provide for shared use where practical.
Make appropriate provision for cycling, pedestrians and car parking
Do not generate levels or types of traffic which would have adverse impacts on safety and amenity on Whitlingham Lane.

I'm sure this won't be the my last post on the subject...

WHITLINGHAM: More info on the tourist proposals

7th July 2012

Ok, so I went to Whitlingham today to look at the architects displays. I also had a look around the country park, but there were hardly any birds of note, so I'll concentrate on the plans. Firstly the good news, which is that much of the development is meant for the overflow carpark and a field that is currently used for agriculture behind the picnic meadow, so the impact on the look of the park isn't as great as I first feared. From the amount of work that has gone in it is clear that one of these will happen, and assuming (perhaps erroneously) that the decision can be influenced, I have been considering which option to back.

The option that I want least is LSIs Boutique Hotel. The hotel would have probably been bad enough on its own, but they are also proposing to build an extension linked by a sort of perspex tunnel onto the barn, and developing their tree houses in an area of woodland that is currently undisturbed. The coup-de-grace was their plan to add another jetty to the Great Broad to get more watersports happening.

The other two options aren't as offensive. The Hudsons are planning to only build in the overflow carpark area, with the field being used for camping and an equestrian centre up one corner. The picnic meadow would be used for events, but also retained as a picnic meadow. Their idea includes some wildflower planting and an orchard.

Feilden and Mawsons spa, whilst completely unnecessary doesn't look too bad. I have to disagree with their reasoning: "while spas may have a reputation as havens for the wealthy to be pampered, that misconception is rapidly being dispelled. People no longer see it as a luxury, but as an entitlement." Do they? But they ended that piece with "= Viable concept", which amuses me. Their houses look a bit Teletubbyish, but they are the only architects that emphasised natural aspects of the plans, suggesting that amongst the outdoor activities there should be moth trapping (which the Broads Authority aren't running this year btw).

In the end I just took the form and contact details and I'll have a think what proposal to go for and what comments to make. I have included some photos from the display for anyone who can't make it in person.

Hudson plan: