Go-ahead for 12-storey block in Waterloo Road

Developers had appealed against the refusal of two plans for the site. The planning inspector confirmed refusal for the proposal for a 15-storey block on the site having concluded that it would "demonstrably harm the character and appearance of the locality generally and the Conservation Area in particular" and would "significantly harm rather than preserve the setting of the Mylne obelisk ...".

However, St George's Circus Group chairman Ian Alderson describes the go-ahead for the 12-storey building as "a terrible result" because of the adverse affect a 40m tower could have on the Conservation Area and its listed buildings. He also fears that this decision will now be used as a precedent for future high-rise development.

The inspector, whilst noting that both proposals failed to satisfy the UDP regarding density and dwelling mix, accepted the developer's argument that, because of its location, the building was not suitable for families and the technical breaches were not sufficient grounds for refusal.

"One rather wonders what is the point of having a UDP if its provisions can be so easily set aside" says Ian Alderson.