Graham Goldspring kindly gave up some of his time to attend this on behalf of OADRA, here is his write up to keep you all informed:
The aim of this meeting was to get opinions as to what should be put into the new site and building for the new hospital (apparently 'polyclinic' as a term as been removed) in the way of a garden or area to display the commemoration plaques, some of the original brick work, and other memorabilia from the current building which was constructed in the 1930s. They talk as setting this up WHEN (not IF) the redevelopment gets under way.
The centre of the hospital building will have an open garden courtyard and the commemorative plaques and dedicated benches be put there. The front entrance gates and lamps will be restored and preserved. Maybe there will also be a 'memory' garden near the main entrance.
Marcus Ballard (representing the company which has put together the business plan for the re-development) confirmed that the joint planning application for the re-development will be issued on the RBK website on 19th November. So, time is now very short.
There will be also an application for Conservation Consent to demolish No. Oakhill (Elmside). The case for its demolition in the interests of the whole site development (!!) is being made by Alan Baxter Associates, who are Heritage Buildings' consultants. The Victorian Society has sent a letter to Marcus Ballard objecting to the demolition of Elmside (No.1 Oakhill), suggesting it could be used as part of the school if that goes ahead.
The report from the Transport Working group needs to be part of the planning application. So the follow-up meeting to the one held at the beginning of this month will not be January but around 15 November.
The covenant issue relates only to a large area of land where the school is proposed. Ian Nixon of the NHS stated that there is no record of who owns the covenant presently. According to Marcus Ballard, someone needs to produce proof that he/she has inherited a covenant from anyone listed in the Land registry title deeds. If not, then the chain is broken and the covenant is not enforceable. At the moment, there is no evidence there is an unbroken chain. However, other information from legal sources seems to indicate that the covenant is on the land and cannot expire unless the Land Registry has received an application to extinguish it.
The plan of the site now shows soft grass and sand playing areas around the school at ground level and a cycle/pedestrian track where the position of Elmside is at the moment.
The number of parking spaces for the new hospital is now 69: only half are for long stay (1 hr), about a quarter medium stay (30 minutes) and about 20% short stay. There are also 2-3 bays for patient carrier vehicles and disabled transport.
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