Knowle relocation project: the setting of the Listed folly - and challenging the mass and positioning of the buildings

PegasusLife have promised a few pounds to do a bit of landscaping beyond their bit of land at Knowle - should they be successful on Tuesday:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: planning application to be considered by District Council: Tuesday 6th December >>> planning officers dismiss the need for affordable housing, their own Local Plan, and similar PegasusLife applications which have been refused

As the grounds are in a bit of a sorry state:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "The gardens used to be one of the jewels in Sidmouth's environment, but are now in a sorry state."

However, it's actually about buildings in their landscape - and not just a bit of cosmetic 'landscaping':
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "How buildings sit in their landscape"

And that includes Listed Buildings:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL >>> Listed buildings and their setting

The developer considers the new buildings it's proposing at Knowle to be quite nice:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL >>> will "tastefully ornament the listed summerhouse"

SAVE Britain's Heritage doesn't think so:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: SAVE Britain's Heritage >>> "We urge East Devon District Council to reject this application and require a revised design for the site that preserves the historic buildings and better protects the character of the park."

A picture tells a thousand words, though.

And this postcard, sent in by local historian Mary Walden-Till, shows the Upper Lawns of the Knowle Gardens - taken in 1904. Not much has changed since then (apart from the neglect of the grounds) - with the Listed folly in the foreground much as it is today.

Here is the comment which came with the postcard:

I have just received a new old postcard of the Knowle which shows very clearly what the summer house and its setting should look like. 

It is a Valentine’s postcard and the negative numbers for these have been recorded so we can be certain the photograph was taken in 1904. Interestingly it would appear that the ruined appearance was intentional as the interior is roofed with an incongruous lead construction. Unfortunately it is a printed postcard and not a real photograph so fine detail can not be seen.

I hope this is of some help in challenging the mass and positioning of the buildings.

See also:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: SAVE Britain's Heritage >>> "The loss of the Knowle and the additional development of the park’s upper lawns and car park as proposed represent a devastating blow to the history and character of Sidmouth."
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project > Pegasus planning application 16/0872/MFUL >>> EN8 - Significance of Heritage Assets and their Setting
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