Bank's wheelchair ramp plan refused by councillors (From The Advertiser Series)
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Bank's wheelchair ramp plan refused by councillors
4:22pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in News
By Steven Hugill
COUNCILLORS have refused to sanction a new disabled ramp at a Grade-II listed Darlington bank after branding the plans “monstrous.”
Barclays Bank had applied to build a wheelchair-accessible ramp with handrails at the front of its branch in High Row.
The ramp, which would have stretched across the bank’s frontage to its ATM machine, would have replaced its current main entrance steps and disabled side door.
The plans received no objections and had support from disabled advocacy group, Darlington Association on Disability.
However, members of Darlington Borough Council's planning committee rejected the proposals, fearing a new ramp would spoil the architectural and historic significance of the building’s design.
Dave Coates, Principal Planning Officer, recommended the application be turned down on the grounds it would detract from the bank’s facade.
He said: “This is a Grade-II listed building and we need to treat it with great sympathy.
“It is quite special in the town centre and although the ramp works in functional terms, aesthetically it would be an absolute disaster.
“We are trying to support disabled access, but this is an unacceptable solution.”
Councillor David Lyonette said he was disappointed by the design.
He said: “I do not know how it is going to work, we have supported the business with previous applications but this one is just monstrous.
“I just don’t understand the thinking behind it and how those responsible thought it would be acceptable.”
Councillor Lynne Haszeldine added: “I have used the current disabled access at the side of the bank with a pushchair before and have always found it to be fine.”
The rejection came despite Darlington Association on Disability chairman, Gordon Pybus, previously backing the application.
He said: “If every shop and bank in High Row had a ramp, we would have a problem and I support highways not wanting the pavements blocked, which can cause issues for visually-impaired people.
"However, I do not want to be a reason for Barclays to do nothing, so we support the application.”
Comments(13)
mak
says...
8:34pm Sun 23 Sep 12
oliviaden6 wrote:So steps full of waterfalls are fine, knocking down the grade listing whatever of the arts centre, to build houses is fine, ruining an historic market is fine?
Does this now mean that all shops need to NOT to have a ramp access then. One law for one, one law for another.
simples!
Fine this sham council for ruining this town years before now!
Homshaw1
says...
11:44am Mon 24 Sep 12
aquickrant
says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
randy mcflabb
says...
12:48pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Councillor David Lyonette said he was disappointed by the design.
Dave Coates, Principal Planning Officer, recommended the application be turned down on the grounds it would detract from the bank’s facade.
He said: “This is a Grade-II listed building and we need to treat it with great sympathy.
after the great para olympics we still have people with attitudes like this, im ashamed to live in darlington, im enbarressed that these people have positions of authority
unbelievable
randy mcflabb
says...
1:06pm Tue 25 Sep 12
aquickrant says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
there is disabled access at the side. whats the big deal. it would be an eyesore and a waste of money.”
an eyesore and a waste of money? makes you wonder why the council didnt jump at the chance to grant permission
randy mcflabb
says...
1:06pm Tue 25 Sep 12
aquickrant says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
there is disabled access at the side. whats the big deal. it would be an eyesore and a waste of money.”
an eyesore and a waste of money? makes you wonder why the council didnt jump at the chance to grant permission
randy mcflabb
says...
1:06pm Tue 25 Sep 12
aquickrant says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
there is disabled access at the side. whats the big deal. it would be an eyesore and a waste of money.”
an eyesore and a waste of money? makes you wonder why the council didnt jump at the chance to grant permission
randy mcflabb
says...
1:06pm Tue 25 Sep 12
aquickrant says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
there is disabled access at the side. whats the big deal. it would be an eyesore and a waste of money.”
an eyesore and a waste of money? makes you wonder why the council didnt jump at the chance to grant permission
frankyboy
says...
2:30pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Imagine if the Daleks were planning to invade and to rob a bank. Barclays Bank, Darlington would have been their No. 1 target.
randy mcflabb
says...
2:54pm Tue 25 Sep 12
vote the same things stay the same,
thats all i have to say on the matter and dont get me started on the north road thing
Homshaw1
says...
7:17pm Wed 26 Sep 12
A fit person with a pushchair is not the same as a disabled person in a motorised wheel chair
Finally the ugliest building in Darlington is the Town Hall. It is a monstrosity. It's perverse that the people responible for it pass judgement on how the rest of Darlington should look
George BA
says...
12:58am Thu 27 Sep 12
The Committee notes that in future all public authorities, including English Heritage, will come under both the duty in clause 4 not to discriminate in the exercise of their functions, and the duty under clause 8 to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. This should ensure that all heritage and planning authorities respond sympathetically and helpfully to requests for alterations under the DDA.
Wonder of the EHRC will make a test case out of this, millions have been spent on Darlington and access should have been taken into consideration then.
oliviaden6 says...
5:45pm Sun 23 Sep 12