Building’s ‘aggressive, angular geometry’ brings objection

In a formal objection to the proposal from Waffle & Co for a wooden structure on the Weighbridge Clock Tower, it said the proposal would be out of character with the area.

The planning application is under consideration.

A trust spokesman said it was pleased a business was settling into the Clock Tower, after a number of previous occupiers had found the location to be restrictive.

‘We would normally support enabling development, which helps owners of protected buildings to safeguard their historic asset by allowing limited development, but in this case we must object in the strongest terms to the proposal presented,’ he said.

The spokesman said the standalone building was in a prominent location on St Peter Port’s seafront.

‘We object in principle to this proposal to extend it,’ he said.

‘The proposal presents an aggressive, angular geometry, which is in contrast to the curves and undulations of more important adjacent structures, such as the sea wall and the Liberation monument. The contrast is not one that enhances the setting.’

The application stated that the new design provided a dynamic contrast, but the spokesman said it was out of character.

‘We will go further and suggest that the term “dynamic contrast” could indicate that the designers have chosen to wilfully ignore the context of the scheme,’ he said.

The spokesman noted that the application stated that the structure could be moved after it was no longer needed.

‘We believe that this may be a euphemism for cheaply built and likely to quickly degrade, properties which should not be attributable to a building in such a prominent and public location,’ he said.

‘The description of the building’s structure and construction leads us to question how it will be anchored to the ground, and what work will be necessary below ground to ensure it remains stable and safe.’

He noted that a blank wall of the structure would face the Liberation monument, which was unveiled in 1995 to mark 50 years since the Liberation of the island.

‘It seems both disrespectful and disappointing to present a proposal that fails to acknowledge, and even turns its back on, this important monument,’ he said.

The spokesman said the structure would sit unhappily alongside the Weighbridge.

‘We do not believe anyone can look at this image and see an enhancement of the protected building or its setting, arguably the island’s most important conservation area,’ he said.

‘The vertical emphasis and proportion of the tower is lost behind a bulky, monolithic block with a strong horizontal emphasis, which sharply cuts off the well-executed south elevation of the original building.’

We kept the historic setting in mind – architect

A NEW structure by the Weighbridge clock tower has been designed with the historic setting mind, the architect behind the project has said.

Planners are considering whether to grant permission for the structure, which would allow Waffle & Co to have indoor seating.

The design has provoked strong opinions.

Charlie Hodder, from architects CCD, said the design was carefully considered.

‘The architectural form of the building has been carefully designed to respond to both the existing Weighbridge and the adjacent Liberation monument,’ he said.

‘The architecture references the existing roof forms when seen from the North Esplanade and the building has been designed to minimise the ridge height so that the clock tower is still clearly visible and more dominant over the proposed building. The architecture is strong and angular, responding to the form of the historic context with a 21st century design.’

He rejected the National Trust’s concerns that the structure would be ‘flimsy’.

‘The new covered seating area has been designed to be lightweight and removable without affecting the historic structure,’ he said.

‘The proposed covered seating area is to be finished in a hard-wearing and durable cladding material called Millboard, which has the appearance of timber cladding and was used recently, very successfully, at La Vallette Bathing Pools. The structure will have solid ground fixings but is intended to be easily removable.’

CCD has worked with the National Trust on its historic sites in the past and Mr Hodder said the firm appreciated the importance of this building.

‘The Weighbridge [built in 1891] is a delightful building and an important part of our industrial heritage,’ he said.

‘CCD are very supportive of the aims of the National Trust of Guernsey to conserve the historic environment of the island, but we are also passionate about St Peter Port and the need to enhance the public realm, bringing vitality and life back to the town.

‘In this case there is a small area of leftover space, which can be usefully employed, and we wanted to avoid a pastiche which attempted to replicate the past.

‘Why not have something fun and a bit different, which is lightweight and can be removed when appropriate?’