Well, I try and keep an open mind when it comes to WBC, but the idea of building this in the park is a disgrace. Where is the childrens play area and the skate park going to go? They are easily the two most used features of the park at present, and are used all year round.
I can't see this building fitting in anywhere looking the way it does, let alone having it in the park. Shameful.
An enlarged view is available by clicking on each of the images
Are the Town Council signed up to this? Removal of the play area and skateboard ramps, the new building intruding into their part of the Park, a boating pond where they were planning to build facilities?
The building is at least twice the footprint that I had envisaged - as well as being impressively ugly. I have also become accustomed to viewing artists impressions with immense suspicion - it will look a lot bigger still when it is built. [And User - it doesn't use any of the bank.]
Thre green area east of the A339 is labelled 'Victoria Park Extension' - its always been part of the park, until they built the A339 through the Park it was an integral part. But it can't survive as the green space shown, they have coloured over the access road from the end of Faraday Road to the new building.
The overall plan has also changed - the Stone Building seems to survive, but only as an annex to a pub. The new museum is still there, what is it going to hold?
One has to admire Patrick Griffin's patience though - he designed the Waterside replacement 20 years ago.
It's going to happen, though, and the dire quality most of the complainers' comments here so far will simply persuade the council that the usual and handful of anonymous nerds, nutters and anoraks are reacting in their usual predictable and unrepresentative way. Just saying.
Of course, but the fact it is big and ugly (and bears no architectural resemblance to its environment) still remains and we should be entitled to voice our opinion.
The facilities look great - it is a shame that it looks like a giant shanty-town shed from the outside. And there is absolutely no reason why it should be built on the town's precious (and dwindling) green space.
Let's hope this "monstrous carbuncle" come to nowt, and an open competition takes place to design a more pleasing replacement for the Waterside and New Greenham Arts.
Right, I'm off to the library to see if they have any books on John Poulson and T Dan Smith.
Thre green area east of the A339 is labelled 'Victoria Park Extension' - its always been part of the park, until they built the A339 through the Park it was an integral part. But it can't survive as the green space shown, they have coloured over the access road from the end of Faraday Road to the new building. .
According to the representative at the library, the green area to the east will involve taking over some of the allotments. This will create a "peacefull river walk".
Is this the best they could come up with? It just looks lazy. Perhaps we could see the other designs that WBC rejected?...... What's that you say?.....No?....and why not? he asked. (already knowing the answer)
However, since it seems to resemble a clinker-built wooden ship, contains little that is new, and the cafe looks as though a boat has crashed through the ceiling, we should hence forth refer to it as "The Ark"
Thre green area east of the A339 is labelled 'Victoria Park Extension' - its always been part of the park, until they built the A339 through the Park it was an integral part. But it can't survive as the green space shown, they have coloured over the access road from the end of Faraday Road to the new building. .
According to the representative at the library, the green area to the east will involve taking over some of the allotments. This will create a "peacefull river walk".
Is this the best they could come up with? It just looks lazy. Perhaps we could see the other designs that WBC rejected?...... What's that you say?.....No?....and why not? he asked. (already knowing the answer)
However, since it seems to resemble a clinker-built wooden ship, contains little that is new, and the cafe looks as though a boat has crashed through the ceiling, we should hence forth refer to it as "The Ark"
Threep.
Ark in the Park then? Hang on....this is starting to sound OK
According to the representative at the library, the green area to the east will involve taking over some of the allotments. This will create a "peacefull river walk".
Another victory for WBC's green policy - allotments, who needs them? You couldn't make it up!
Well, boys and, er, boys I dropped in to the exhibition earlier and - you won't like me for saying this - I really don't think this is a bad thing. To my mind the important question is, does this add to the town or take away? I think it adds. OK, we 'lose' a small part of Victoria park but we also lose the awful kiosk as well and I can see the Newbury Ark being a real draw: pulling more people into the park, rather than driving them.
To those who are concerned about losing some of the town's green space, I know what you mean and would be concerned about that myself. On the other hand, Viccy park isn't - as you may have noticed - not the only green space in Newbury. We also have the barely used Northcroft and Goldwell Parks. Wonderful green spaces, only a minute or so from Northbrook Street. Unlike you, I walk through them every day and there's hardly a soul to be seen.
I think the real problem here is that every bloody Tom, Dick and Harriet feels they have the 'right' to be consulted about this stuff. Bollocks. Did the Victorians - town developers extraordinaire - 'consult' every time they changed anything? (Answers on a post card please.)
Amusingly, when I was in the libary, I overheard three local councillors exchanging views about Marcus Franks' and newbury.net's views about all this. Don't ask.
If you really want to attack this plan, go for the ongoing running costs. I gather that it's possible that some at WBC are working on the basis that budgets will be reduced by up to 30%, given the dire state of the economy. 30% is a lot. Think about it. Also, if you're keen to knock things, there's planning abortion that is our new Vue Cinem.....ah, too late.
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