21st Century apartments a 'threat' to town's heritage?

RESIDENTS are shocked at proposals to tear down two traditional stone buildings and replace them with '21st Century-style' apartment blocks.People living in Bristol Road Lower, Weston, say plans to replace a former nursing home with 34 modern apartments would ruin the appearance of one of the oldest areas of town.But developer Bach Homes says it is trying to provide '21st Century accommodation' for people living '21st Century lifestyles'. The firm wants to create affordable one or two-bedroom flats with a car parking space for each one. It has submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council.Bernard Land, of Ringwood Grove, is one of the neighbours objecting to the plans. He said: "A lot of people are very unhappy this could be built. It is overdevelopment of the site and completely out of keeping with the other beautiful stone buildings. We could be losing a piece of Weston's heritage."One car parking space per flat is not enough. What if there are two cars in the household or visitors? The road will be filled with parked cars."In a letter to North Somerset Council a Bach Homes spokesman says: "Following detailed negotiations with officers we have sought to develop our proposals to create a high quality solution that is architecturally stimulating."We have sought to create a modern building of the 21st Century for 21st Century lifestyles. The proposal follows a careful consideration of the site's surroundings in terms of scale, design and detail. The site is not within the conservation area, nor is it adjoining it."We have sought to address local policies to reduce car dependence. Therefore we are providing car parking on the ratio of one to one. It is well served by public transport and is within easy distance of amenities and facilities. Demand for smaller dwellings is very high and is tackled in this scheme.