Published: 31 May, 2012
PROPERTY NEWS by DAN CARRIER

AN architect who has designed an estate on land that is protected under Camden Council’s planning laws has defended the scheme at an appeal hearing.

Charles Graham, of Rolfe Judd architects, outlined his vision for the former Thames Water reservoir in Gondar Gardens, West Hampstead, in front of a planning inspector at the Town Hall on Thursday.

Mr Graham, who is working for developers Linden Wates, compared his project to the new King’s Cross railway station extension, explaining that “the modern sitting next to the old: was the perfect way to describe his housing development.

“It is about using the history and heritage of what is there and putting a modern estate in as delicately as we can,” he added.

The Gondar Gardens scheme was rejected by the council’s planning committee last year. Officials pointed to the loss of an important open space and its effect on the borough’s biodiversity, and the lack of a satisfactory Section 106 agreement to ensure the new homes wouldn’t put too much pressure on ser­vice.

The design includes an underground car park boasting a car lift to get in and out, and raised walkways across a courtyard that runs between two rows of eight homes. On the first floor of each house, the designs include a double-height greenhouse.

Mr Graham used graphics to show the hearing how he believed he would keep the “idea” of the reservoir whilst simultaneously knocking it down and building on it.

The reservoir, which was built in 1896, was placed at the top of a hill so water could flow towards the homes that were being built around it.

Mr Graham said: “What lies beneath Gondar Gardens is special.”

The architect added that he felt the reservoir’s design – hidden from public view – was “totally unique, with a lovely repetition.” He spoke of the cruciform brick pillars and the supports that hold the walls up.

He said: “It is a spectacular structure built on a heroic scale. You want to touch and feel its strength.”

But Mr Graham said that he believed the reservoir was in danger of collapse – a point disputed by Gondar and Agamemnon Residents Association (Gara) and the Town Hall’s surveyors.

“It is deteriorating,” said Mr Graham. “Water is coming through and we have to do something.

“We will create an intimate, private space for the homes and we are keen for the architecture to enjoin with the structure, and we have created a unique solution.

“The windows will be reminders of what was there before. We will have subtle references of what was there previously. We have created a place for quiet contemplation, an intimate and private space for each home.”

He denied that the estate would block the views of neighbours, saying that the top floor of the homes would only peek out above the current ground level.

The inspector, who adjourned the hearing until September, after three days of argument and a further day spent visiting the site, had earlier heard evidence from Camden Council’s nature conservation officer on the importance of preserving the open space, a home for rare slow worms.

They were also presented with evidence from Camden’s structural engineering expert who showed how the developer’s own report revealed that the reservoir roof was in good condition.

Gara chairman David Yass launched a robust defence of Camden’s original decision.

He said: “Linden Wates’ case rests on showing the reservoir roof is of low ecological value and can be excluded from the nature conservation protection, and that the roof will collapse so they have to do something.

“We and Camden say the opposite on both points; also that the open space protection is additional to and doesn’t depend on the biodiversity value; and that the new National Planning Policy Framework supports us too.

“Camden has further objections regarding affordable housing and we have additional points about traffic and parking. We think that we and Camden have made very strong points and have avoided being undermined by their very aggressive barrister.”