Plans to turn disused water tower into housing rejected

Panda Holdings Limited had wanted to convert the disused tower, close to Melodonia on Ruettes Des Emrais, into a one-bed home.

In the application the company said the water tower was made of poured concrete building with a steel frame and stated ‘anyone visiting the property for the first time will note the soundness of this construction and the capabilities of conversion.’

But the planners noted that without a structural report, they could not be sure the building was of sound construction.

‘No evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the building is of sound and substantial construction and, due to its limited size and scale, the existing water tower is not capable of conversion, without extensive alteration, rebuilding or extension,’ the planning decision states.

The water tower was used in connection with a neighbouring vinery, but the glasshouses were cleared between 1979 and 1990, making the tower redundant.

Four objections from people in three neighbouring properties were submitted to the planners.

They were concerned that the tower was in an agricultural priority area, so should not be used for housing.

They also said the tower’s concrete was crumbling and the internal steel frame was rotting from inside out and was not capable of conversion.

Another issue raised by neighbours was that they feared this application aimed to get the idea of housing passed by the planners, so the site owner could then apply to clear the site and build a new property.

The planners were concerned about the plans being put forward, noting that the proposal was not suitable for a modern dwelling and would not meet minimum building regulation standards.

The proposal involves adding a substantial four-storey extension.

The existing water tower would be divided internally to provide four floors of accommodation comprising a bedroom at ground floor level, a living area at first floor, a kitchen on the second floor and a snug on the third floor.

‘The total floorspace provided over all four floors within the existing building envelope equates to 19.45m2 – considerably lower than the minimum standards required for a single bedroom dwelling,’ said the planners.

‘Furthermore, without extending the water tower, it would not be possible to gain access between the floors, nor would the accommodation provide a bathroom/shower.’

The proposed extension would have provided an extra 40m2 of floorspace over the four floors.

‘It is concluded therefore that due to its limited size and scale, the existing water tower is not capable of conversion without extensive alteration, rebuilding or extension. The scale of extension proposed forms a significant part of the new unit, which in effect is tantamount to the construction of a new dwelling outside of the centres.’