The Council has received and published a detailed response from NRAP Architects to its recommendation that the applicants withdraw their proposal for development of the EF Language School. In the six-page letter, the architects address the principle of development, the design, the impact on residential amenity, suitability of the site, trees and drainage. The letter uses a selective quotes from the Council Planning Officer’s own recommendations to pretend that they were somewhat more positive towards the development than they actually were; for example, it tells the Council: “It is gratifying that in your letter you say that; ‘the building has merit. Its simplicity and clear palette of materials creates clean lines and a visually pleasing building'”, whereas the officer’s full statement there was: “As a stand alone piece of architecture, I consider that the building has merit. Its simplicity and clear palette of materials creates clean lines and a visually pleasing building. However, I consider that in the context of this site, the building is overwhelming.”
The architects also continue their approach of largely dismissing the concerns of neighbouring properties such as Lady Jane Court and 2-2b Cavendish Avenue. The full letter can be read here.
