The planning application for changes to the Drill Hall will be heard by the Town Council this Wednesday:
Drill Hall plans to be considered Wednesday 28th August
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The full application 19/1775/FUL can be seen on the District Council’s planning portal:
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There is only one comment so far – and it concerns the proposed colour for the facade:
Mr John Griffiths (Supports)
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It is difficult to see how ‘dark grey’ the plans are:
BREAKING: Plans submitted for Drill Hall
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The architect’s Design and Access Statement says that:
“A charcoal-coloured weather-resistant cladding board will cover the new insulation and existing masonry…”
This is ‘charcoal’
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Has this colour simply been chosen because it is in fashion?
Is grey the new black?
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For more comment on the colour design and how it might conflict with the Conservation Area, see the latest from the Sidmouth Drill Hall Rescue site:
Rockfish plans and the Conservation Area
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With more here:
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You will notice that on the perspective drawing the building looks mid grey not the charcoal grey specified in the planning application documents and has blue storm shutters by the doors and windows picking up the blue from the Sailing Club. In the planning application document these are specified as grey ( unless they have just been left unspecified, it is not absolutely clear). So the perspective drawing probably shows a more colourful and visually broken up version of what is actually planned. The shutters are shown as grey on the Proposed Elevations
In the Design, Access and Heritage statement they say ‘ The dark timber boards will give the building the aesthetic of a working fisherman’s shed’. In my experience such sheds usually end up faded and perhaps a silvery grey, or driftwood colour.
Comment submitted date: Wed 21 Aug 2019
It is very encouraging to see that Rockfish are going to respect the architectural appearance and history of the former Drill Hall. My only concern is the amount of dark grey colour on the front elevation. The rest of the eastern end of the sea front, from the Royal Falconer Hotel to the adjoining apartments have a mixture of royal blue and white on their facades. (This does not include the Yacht Club adjacent to the Drill Hall, which could badly do with re-decoration of its frontage.)
Would it not be possible for Rockfish to consider using its signature blue to more effect on the main facade? If it were lighter in colour it would be in keeping with the ‘seaside esplanade’ look. Having looked at all the other Rockfish restaurants in the area, they all seem to be of a lighter more welcoming colour.