Shrewsbury boathouse plans under discussion today
Monday 10th January 2011, 1:22PM GMT.
Plans to rebuild and modernise a boathouse on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury are being discussed by civic chiefs today.
The designs for the boathouse near Kingsland Bridge, owned by Shrewsbury School, have already been looked on favourably by members of Shrewsbury Civic Society ahead of the meeting of the group’s ‘s planning committee.
But members of Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association have claimed the plans are not “iconic” enough.
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Perhaps STCRA ought to stick to plain english instead of using sometimes misplaced fashionable labels like the word iconic.
The planners might be under the illusion that they wish the boat house building had some sort of religious symbolism in it’s design. Rather than the large oar sticking out of the roof someone suggested, a large oar in the shape of the crucifixion will be incorporated!
It sounds very much like the STCRA should not stick their oar in at all in most people’s opinion.
The civic society are hopefully more likely to have an informed and balanced view.
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I am not defending TCRA but, sorry Eva, I think your definition of icon is a little limited, it goes way beyond a likeness of Christ.
However I also believe TCRA have got it wrong too.
The only way I can see a design being iconic is through it being cutting edge and representitive of something very fashionable. Not normally something the TCRA is know for.
Hopefully common sense will prevail, but i am not confident.
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Eva, thank you for this opportunity to once again respond to your latest misguided comments.
The word ‘iconic’ is perfectly plain English and not a ‘misplaced fashionable label’ – in this context it means ‘of this time’.
STCRA is fully supported of modern architecture that makes a statement, uses appropriate materials and is of an appropriate scale with its surroundings so that it enhances the area.
STCRA did NOT object to this application, merely submitted comments for consideration.
You are perfectly entitled to exercise your democratic rights to submit comments on this or any other application, which you may well have done. However, as you do not use your real name on this forum, we have no way of knowing.
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If this is outside the river loop is it anything to do with the STCRA?
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Thanks for that. From what I have read on the STCRA web site is that you can only join if you are within the loop and their only concerns are for those that fall within the river loop.
From the complaints I have come across so far from STCRA is that they have given away the fact that they live on the town walls and around belmont.
Definition of Iconic is something symbolic and representative of the moment, which I presume the boathouse was when it was built and leads me to believe that STCRA have no idea what icon/iconic is.
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zz94, STCRA does only draw its members from within the loop.
However, if you don’t already have one, we would be more than willing to help you set up a Residents’ Association for the area that you live.
Shropshire Council LJCs are actively seeking more formalised residents’ associations. This would enable you and your neighbours to actively participate as a group, in the issues that affect your neighbourhood as well as the greater Shrewsbury area.
Democracy is messy, but we value the differences of opinion it brings that lead to better solutions.
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Actually I live just south of Shrewsbury and we don’t have NIMBYs shoving their noses in other peoples business and creating disharmony. So you carry on with your clique whilst living in the past and stifling progression.
Then you wonder why the youth run away from Shrewsbury as soon as they acquire their A levels.
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zz94, just a quick note, we at the STCRA do know what iconic means. I think you’ve misunderstood the concern. Your last paragraph addresses the boathouse scheduled to be demolished. That boathouse may or may not have been iconic when it was built several decades ago but it is no longer relevant to the discussion. The boathouse in question is the centre one and has been submitted to planning to be built after the demolition of the existing. We did not object to the application, but rather submitted comments for consideration. They were in part for the exact reasons you state, the current design does not support the definition of iconic…that is it is not symbolic and representative of the moment. I am happy we agree on the definition.
Should you need any further clarification of the STCRA policies for planning applications please feel free to contact me via the STCRA website.
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Perhaps you should have a word with the Shropshire Star for publishing heavily edited and misleading articles.
Lets be honest it is a shed for housing boats, it’s not the Sydney Opera House.
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If the boat house were not in the field of vision of those living on town walls and Quarry Place STCRA wouldn’t give a rats ass. Its just a bit eye candy for you and all your bellyaching does not help your cause.
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Thank you for the question Hugh.
If you have seen Terence Hyde’s letter in this week’s Chronicle, you will be aware that STCRA are keen to promote tourism and improve the experience of our lovely town for visitors from both outside the county and other parts of Shropshire.
Therefore anything that concerns the River Severn, which is an asset to ALL Shrewsbury residents, regardless which part of town they live in, is a concern of the STCRA.
Please get in touch with either myself or my co-chair Sheila Sager, and we would be delighted to tell you more about all the positive things that the STCRA is involved with.
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I take your point Tyrone but the truth is they don’t really want anything cutting edge but they are trying to use trendy terminology to make it sound like they do.
They have been criticized for only wanting pastiche and as all this glazing at the front is not twee enough for them they are having to attempt a mixed message.
It would be great if it did look crisp 21 st century, particularly so it does not then diminish the renovated house on the right.
Not however the ghastly mish-mash of stone cladding and wood cladding we had with the theatre. The stone cladding on which looks horribly tacky IMO and should have been avoided altogether.
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Sorry Eva, I don’t know where you are getting your information from but it clearly isn’t a reliable source.
Just to clarify this one point – ‘cutting edge’ is exactly the type of architecture that Shrewsbury deserves but it has to be done using the correct materials and to the correct scale so that any leading architect would recognise it as such. This is in no way a reflection on the skills of the Boat House architect who we know would be doing their best within the budget available.
We absolutely do NOT support pastiche and many previous applications have been commented upon by the STCRA on this basis.
In future, please feel free to get in touch with any STCRA committee members who will be happy to let you have any facts or information you need.
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Just from reading STCRA comments on the planning website Alison. It’s straight from the horses mouth then!
For example, the STCRA view was that the remains of the buildings in the Shrewsbury explosion must be retained at all cost. The view was made crystal clear earlier this year by STCRA that this 1930s pastiche type building was an asset to the town, blending in with the genuine ancient timber framed houses. They should be shored up and repaired so a 2010 type design does not be allowed to take their place.
The problem is that design is a subjective matter and although some people study the subject in depth like architects there is still polarisation in views of what enhances.
Genuine old buildings tend to be demeaned by fake older styled architecture and do not then remain looking mellow, weathered and different but present as tired, tatty, neglected and lost against their inferior copies in newer materials.
There is not a lot of point either trying to replicate old building as they do not serve the way we live today and the examples of pretend old houses you see in the town are often at the expense of providing a better accomodation for those who then live in them. The compromises result in dark interiors, spaces that do not flow and windows that do not take advantage of fabulous views.
It is very arrogant of the STCRA to constantly imply that their uninformed opinion is without question the correct oneand any architect who does not agree is not a good one!
The sports building for the High school was also heavily criticized by STCRA. To the majority it is a building that is attractive and serves a purpose which dictated it’s design to a certain extent. It does not offend the residents or visitors to this town who see and want Shrewsbury to carry on evolving because it is not a museum.
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