Save Our Space - Open Meeting - Lack of Integration

A few points on why this scheme is heading for a very mediocre result.

• The proposed plan does not integrate into the wider urban fabric of totnes. This becomes obvious when a comparison is made of the present urban pattern (see plan below and the proposed forms
• The topography of the site has been ignored
• There is a lack of understanding of what the Totnes community is and how it functions.
• The history of the site has been largely ignored.
• No environmental impact strategy has been established
• Most of the existing trees will be cut.
• The circulation patterns around the scheme have been driven purely by the prominence of the motorcar, giving the scheme an inhumane scale.
• No serious consideration for open space has been made.
• No consideration has been given to the effect of the scheme on present public amenities.
• No interactive form of public research or consultation has been made

To correct these very basic parameters the following points should be addressed;

• The public should be widely consulted through interactive workshops.
• An environmental impact study should be done.
• The site should be fully surveyed.
• An archaeological study should be made.
• The scheme should at least respect and enhance the present urban fabric of Totnes.
• The scheme should comply with the present planning guidance for sustainability or the aims of agenda 21.
• Appropriate well-placed open space should be included.

This very basic research should inform the new scheme and produce a solution that at least the majority can support.

I would propose to get a group of motivated local architects together and form a master plan for the site, with SOS as the client. Parts of this collective master plan could then be allocated to each architect to design in detail. The land could be put into a development trust, which has SHDC and a Housing association as a partners among others. This trust could then get development funds from a variety of bodies, such as EU, Lottery, SW development funds, etc. This would get a balanced scheme into place.

Annotated Plan

Casper showed this annotated version of the plan which emphasises the complete difference between the present pattern of building (clustered, aligned and linear) with what is proposed.

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