No control over Manulife

Thursday, April 6, 2006
2:01 PM

The Manulife building exists as it is because at the time of the Stevenage Corporation they were Crown Agents and did not need planning permission. All of the Stevenage New Town with minor exceptions was built with little or no input from the UDC. As a me

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The Manulife building exists as it is because at the time of the Stevenage Corporation they were Crown Agents and did not need planning permission.

All of the Stevenage New Town with minor exceptions was built with little or no input from the UDC. As a member of the council at the time, we objected to the building being placed there as it was thought that it dwarfed the church and that it was not in keeping with the surrounding area. We managed to get the training tower for the fire station reduced in height, so that it did not clash with the church bell tower. We were able to enforce that as the HCC required planning permission from us. The BT building on the corner of Exchange Road is another example that did not need planning permission from us

In fact, we had little control of how the town was planned or laid out and even today, the same mistakes are being made. It is my considered opinion that the building should be demolished as it serves no useful purpose. We have enough hotels and offices as it is. Of course, somebody is going to make a lot of money out of this. The owner of the building should accept this building has to go and I hope that SBC puts as much pressure as it can under the law to achieve this.

F J UDELL, Boxfield Green, Chells Manor, Stevenage