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Search forFuturistic 'glass monster' design for flats upsets locals
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 14:40
A planning application has been submitted by Sericus Ltd to site this ultra modern 12-apartment property on the site where Silvermead B& B stands.
If agreed the building will be created by Huf Haus, one of the world's best known architectural and construction companies.
This will be the company's first apartment block scheme in the UK. It will be factory-built then brought to the site and constructed in a few weeks.
The design will include three and four-bedroom apartments to be sold on the open market. There is also a basement for refuse and storage, parking for 18 vehicles and a swimming pool included in the design.
Although prices for the apartments have yet to be released, the company has pledged to give a contribution of £720,000 towards the district council's requirement for provision of affordable homes to be built off-site.
A spokesman for the company said: "We have owned the site for the past 18 months and have been exploring a variety of different options but we think the Huf Haus design would be perfect for Rock. It is modern, sustainable and very eco-friendly.
"It is a clean design and would be tucked away among trees along a private road. We think it will sit lightly on the land and blend in beautifully. We want to build something we will be proud of and an iconic landmark for the future.
"Rock is full of a variety of architecture with everything from traditional Cornish cottages to flat-roofed buildings and we think this design will have little impact."
However some residents in Rock disagree, with many already objecting to designs submitted to North Cornwall District Council.
Tim Lunt has owned one of the neighbouring properties for the past 35 years. He said: "We are disappointed we have had no consultation about this development whatsoever. It is a major development and I think that it is far too big and does not fit into the local scenery. It is like a big glass monster.
"There will not be enough parking spaces; 18 spaces for the number of bedrooms will not work. Rock is a nightmare for parking at the height of the season so where will all these people park?
"The private access road is also used by St Enodoc Hotel which has regular deliveries and visitors constantly going to and fro."
Another neighbour, Di Dunkerley of Di's Dairy store said: "It was a shock to see the plans and try to imagine that next to our property. It is going to be very close and if I stand in my garden I am going to be looking up a huge wall. I'll lose my light and I'll feel imprisoned.
"We don't want this sort of modern development in Rock. If one gets the go-ahead then others will follow and before you know it we'll be ending up like Monte Carlo.
"The whole design is ludicrous. We will be objecting against it and letting other people know what is being proposed for the Silvermead site."
An example of a Huf Haus design similar to the 12 apartments that may be built in Rock.
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