From this angle on Wilsham Road the Old Gaol looks much as it always has.
From Abingdon Bridge the new accommodation, next door, is more obvious.
I have no hard news on progress but building work continues. By now restaurant groups may have been invited to tender for the three restaurants, and some of the luxury apartments may have been sold.
A detail of the previous picture shows a heron watching from an undisturbed spot – reflected in the water.
The final one is from the garden of St Ethelwolds.
I’m pleased that something is happening with the Old Gaol, but that view from the garden of a historic house like St Ethelwolds is an absolute disgrace. How did they get planning for that? Also, can anyone comfirm whether there is public access down to the River from the development without going to the planned Restuarants or Cafe?
The new buildings will actually look a lot better than the sports hall and swimming pool that they are replacing!
As I understand it there will be public access to the river frontage without any obligation to use the businesses. saying that there isn’t an awful lot to see there.
Whilst I agree that the sports hall and swimming pool buildings were not very attractive they were no where near as tall and overbearing as the new flats and did not have all those windows looking directly into the windows and gardens of the historic properties on East Saint Helen Street.
Thanks to the efforts of COG (the Community in the Old Gaol) campaign) it was a condition of the sale that the developers allow free public access to the riverside at the Old Gaol. In actual fact the Cranbourne development will allow access all the way round the building (which was previously blocked by the swimming pool) and a footpath through to East St Helen Street. And knocking down par tof the old Police Station will also open up better views of the OG from Bridge Street.
But I agree that at present some of the views of the apartments blocks look pretty awful.
Believe me, the view from my bedroom window is truly shocking. It’s the kind of thing that people in the future will wonder about – how could such a thing be allowed? It’s like having the JR at the bottom of the garden.
I am sorry to hear that Rachel. The houses and gardens in East St Helen’s St are wonderful and a credit to their owners. Is this a way to treat people who have preserved and taken care of the town’s heritage? I’ll wager that if some of the house owners had applied for planning permission to alter their houses or gardens (involving the sightline) that permission would have been refused.