B31 - College of Holy Child Jesus, Magdalen Road

Object

Representation ID: 2243

Received: 10/02/2012

Contrary to statements put forward by the planning officers, this is not an enabling development. And it should be refused in the current format.

Object

Representation ID: 2270

Received: 29/02/2012

This site should be retained as an important heritage asset and while the conversion of the historic buildings for a mix use residential/employment development should be supported in order to maintain the viability of the buildings, the remainder of the site should be retained as green space. The overdevelopment of the site would denigrate the historic character of the area, introduce increased traffic and burden to services in a heavily densely populated area and contravenes HBC Policy C1 c) on development in Conservation Areas, that states that spaces between buildings and other local open spaces should not be lost.

Object

Representation ID: 2326

Received: 20/03/2012

I wish to recomend that the green field on the north end of B31 (former convent site) becomes designated as private open space.

No objection to existing building being converted int dwellings

Object

Representation ID: 2350

Received: 22/03/2012

Designate convent field as private open space

Object

Representation ID: 2353

Received: 22/03/2012

The site is not suitable for development on the scale sought by the developers. Central St Leonards is the most densely populated ward in East Sussex and a proposal that would see a significant increase in the ward's population is simply wrong-headed. The proposal, if implemented, would have negative environmental impacts, leading to notable tree-loss, and would change the character of the area, to the detriment of the local residents.

In addition to all this the development would go against the council's own policies on conservation areas like the old convent site (Policy C1 (c) Hastings Local Plan page 183).

Object

Representation ID: 2485

Received: 23/04/2012

Object to rebuilding of Old Convent because you be buildiing houses for people with money like everything else these days. Either turn it into a Grammar School because the Grammar School is a far better way of giving people a lift in life than the college system or turn it into a mental health unit as the facilities are abysmal these days.

Comment

Representation ID: 2500

Received: 10/04/2012

This site should not be allocated as housing land, but left as a private open space.

Object

Representation ID: 2522

Received: 25/04/2012

197 units on this site is an outrageous proposal and would put an unacceptable strain on infrastructure such as water and sewage, plus adversely affect local wildlife. All the green space, including that to the north of the site, should be retained. Sensitive conversion of existing buildings could provide housing - there is no need to demolish any of them. The convent buildings could be converted into a hotel/conference centre since the town is deficient in hotel rooms.

Object

Representation ID: 2533

Received: 26/04/2012

Totally against the convent grounds being built on. This area has a unique, calm, quality because of this green open space belonging to the convent. This part of St Leonards does not need more residential property when many large houses are unoccupied.

Object

Representation ID: 2541

Received: 26/04/2012

Both North and South of the Convent Grounds in Magdalen Road should be designated as private open space not allocated to development. The whole of the convent grounds make a very important contribution to the townscape of the local area. The appearance and character would be irreversibly lost by inappropriate development of what is a very special and precious asset. Designating the northern part of the convent grounds as private open space has the potential to provide an even greater contribution to the wellbeing of the community and residents, perhaps in the form of allotments, a playing field and park.

Object

Representation ID: 2546

Received: 26/04/2012

The proposed number of dwellings will have a negative impact on the amount of traffic near the school and will also result in the school being overlooked.
Use of the field by the school would greatly enhance the education of the pupils and local residents could have managed accesss for community events and it could be available to sports clubs. Attempts to aquire the playing field have failed.

Object

Representation ID: 2556

Received: 26/04/2012

The North and South Convent grounds should be designated as green open space because:
1 The grounds make an important contribution to the townscape
2 This open space is important as it is in a densely populated and deprived part of the borough. Many houses are in multiple occupation and the majority of residents living in the flats have no gardens. The convent grounds support trees, birds and other wildlife.
3 If the Northern part is designated as private open space, it could make a contribution to the wellbeing of residents, students, and community groups as open space for sport or allotments.

Object

Representation ID: 2557

Received: 26/04/2012

The North and South Convent grounds should be designated as green open space because:
1 The grounds make an important contribution to the townscape
2 This open space is important as it is in a densely populated and deprived part of the borough. Many houses are in multiple occupation and the majority of residents living in the flats have no gardens. The convent grounds support trees, birds and other wildlife.
3 If the Northern part is designated as private open space, it could make a contribution to the wellbeing of residents, students, and community groups as open space for sport or allotments.

Object

Representation ID: 2574

Received: 27/04/2012

The convent grounds, both north and south, should be designated as Private Open Space as they form an important part of the local townscape.They are major elements of the conservation area, provide important open space in a very densely populated part of the borough and merit special attention as a heritage site.They should be appropriately developed and conserved to protect the wonderful flora and fauna there.Inappropriate development of this delightful place would squander the potential of these precious assets. The Local Plan 2004 states that "the Convent school and its grounds are the major assets of the (Magdalen Road)conservation area".

Object

Representation ID: 2579

Received: 27/04/2012

The proposal to fill this effectively greenfield site is another example of a total lack of care and concern for sensitive sites in the borough. It is also another example of the planning department giving into developers who have no concern for the site or the area itself.

While being presented as an "Enabling Development" it is not under the guidelines of PPS5. Neither English Heritage and the Victorian Society agree it is. The Borough Planning Officer has declared this application is a "TYPE" of Enabling Development. Another abuse of planning policy to assit the developer.

Comment

Representation ID: 2580

Received: 27/04/2012

No evidence of any attempts to find an alternative use for this site or for any funding to restore the listed buildings on the site.
The proposal to demolish the Italianate building shows a disregard for saving notable buildings within the borough.

This area is identified as the most overdeveloped area of high rental and run down properties. A development of this size is out of proportion.

Object

Representation ID: 2583

Received: 27/04/2012

This massive overdevelopment will destroy the centre of Hastings. Why have another 190 dwellings when over the road at Horntye 120 are already planned. Are there so many jobs in Hastings that we need to provide hundreds of dwellings to house the workers ?
This development could create a housing ghetto that Hastings will not recover from.

Object

Representation ID: 2635

Received: 30/04/2012

I see no reason to grant change of use to this building and land. I also think that the playing fields/green should be designated as such. There is every reason to use the buildings as a training college which it is although it has been deliberately run down by the owners.

Object

Representation ID: 2638

Received: 27/04/2012

I object to the plans for the above property for the following reasons:

1. the grounds make a vital contribution to our local landscape which would be irreplaceable
2. the area is already ridiculously densely populated
3. there must be alternative sites
4. it will cause even more deterioration to the social structure of the area
5. too much of an increase in traffic.

Object

Representation ID: 2717

Received: 25/04/2012

I think both the north and south of the convent grounds should be designated as private open space and not allocated to development.

I thought this site was protected in 2004 when it was made a conservation area.

Are we to loose all our heritage to developers, leaving Hastings with no areas of interest and beauty?

Has proper consideration been given to the logistical problems further housing in this area will cause?

I am very much against the proposals and hope common sense prevails over greed.

Object

Representation ID: 2735

Received: 02/05/2012

The convent grounds make a very good contribution to the look of the local area-a welcome sight away from endless flats and conversions!

The site has a strong heritage element that it serves well. These sites cannot be replaced.

The area hosts a haven to many forms of wildlife

The local community has very little open ground available to use and enjoy. It is important that both North and South of the convent grounds are kept for the use of the people as private open space for all to enjoy.

It is essential to say no to development.

Object

Representation ID: 2748

Received: 02/05/2012

I believe both North and South of the convert grounds in Magdalen Rd should be designated as private open space not allocated to development

Should it be a fait accompli that some sort of development must be undertaken then I suggest the existing buildings be sensitively developed or refurbished to provide either:
a) a 6th form college
b) a study centre
c) an academy

Object

Representation ID: 2980

Received: 10/04/2012

Infrastructure not adequate, more traffic, over populated, not enough water as it is, Ridge and Hastings cannot cope with any more traffic, schools, doctors, hospital shortage

Object

Representation ID: 3063

Received: 27/04/2012

The convent and its grounds, both north and south, should be designated as private open space. The 2004 Local Plan describes the convent and its grounds as 'the major elements of the conservation area'. They are a shamefully unrealised jewel in the Boroughs architectural crown. The convent and its wonderful setting should be conserved and the potential for heritage led regeneration fully explored. Designation of the convent grounds as private open space would not preclude enabling development, so long as it followed the English Heritage guidelines and the public benefits decisively outweighed the public disbenefits

Comment

Representation ID: 3068

Received: 27/04/2012

The convent and its grounds could become a top quality hotel with conference rooms and Pugin chapel for weddings. All this would generate many jobs for local people as well as training for apprentices to the skilled crafts people needed for such an exciting project. Already there are people interested in setting up a building preservation trust. With the proper use of tourist advertising in the right outlets, art and culture sites and papers, St leonards could find its true purpose and thereby help Hastings come back to into tourist favour.

Support

Representation ID: 3121

Received: 27/04/2012

I support the conversion of the college buildings to residential use, but consider the amount of other development to be excessive. There is the concept that the Convent site, together with The Oval, provides a green 'stop' between urban Hastings and urban St Leonards, which benefits both towns. This is similar to the function of Glyne Gap between Bexhill and St Leonards, which is never included in
development plans for that reason.

Object

Representation ID: 3153

Received: 08/05/2012

B31 -College of Holy Child Jesus, Magdalen Road - an architecturally sensitive site. Open space should be retained as open space. Existing buildings converted. The proposals would be an overdevelopment.

Object

Representation ID: 3188

Received: 24/04/2012

This plan - even with Amendments is destructive to a beautiful site, fails to recognise the opportunity to develop sensitively, and with due regard to retention of 'important' buildings. 'Assessment' gives the impression that restoration and sensitive development will happen, but ths is NOT being borne out in all the comments from HBC Planning, who seem prepared to see this site destroyed by insensitive development

Comment

Representation ID: 3407

Received: 27/04/2012

B31 - Magdalen Road
The subject of a planning application since 12/06/10 - not determined
The proposal IS NOT AN ENABLING DEVELOPMENT
The application is totally unsuitable for the area and is a gross overdevelopment with large numbers of flats

Comment

Representation ID: 3439

Received: 13/04/2012

It is a walled community and, as such, should be left intact. As a retirement village.

The Council are using the disabled retirement bungalows (which are badly positioned around Hastings) for young disabled - so where are we supposed to go?

If we refurbished the convent instead of knocking it down we could create the first "senior village" in England.

Families take the garden flats where are we supposed to go?


The chapel could become a community centre, maybe a lunch club (various examples of such, in the form of leaflets, were provided with the comment).

We would just need a few minor changes:

A gate onto the oval
A disabled scooter park/cover
An all-weather cover so we can socialise in bad weather
A laundrette
A refurbishment of the chapel into a community centre
A one way bus service - as I have seen how dangerous the one is now. So a circular service would help everyone