![]() ![]() ![]() Raised above Embankment street level it is accessible by ramp and stairs. Scheme B offers the same facilities on a slightly reduced scale on three floors of 2201m². Health and Safety and security issues do not seem to have been addressed in this context. Despite the size of the building complex it is proposed that it will be managed only by a "building Manager" supported (possibly) by an administrative assistant and the dormitory accommodation supervised by an assistant, all employed by the Borough. Using the old swimming pool site boundary lines (ie before the demolition of the pool buildings), Scheme A offers a three-storey building of 2419 m² containing sports hall, cafeteria, crèche, counselling rooms, commercial kitchen, IT Training room, meeting rooms, lecture room, photographic dark room, office space and double and single bed ensuite "dormitory" accommodation on the top floor, all accessible only from the playground. Scheme A, like Bu'sen, is located adjacent to the childrens' playground and Scheme B, like the Environment Trust's (see below) on the site of the former pool cafeteria, manager's house (now HANDS) and the disused lavatories on Water Lane. The Duke of Edinburgh Award proposals offer alternative locations for their income-generating scheme.Some of the financial costings are questionable. Neither the proposed café itself is adequate for community purposes nor is the undedicated crèche which has to share accommodation with a meeting room which has no provision for storage for either. There is no provision for the relocation of the very popular present café during construction. ![]() Access is solely through the playground (which is currently locked at night) there is no obvious location for deliveries and there appears to be no out of hours supervisory facilities. It is reminiscent of the Marks & Spencer proposals of 1981 and Allsop Zogolovitch cinema of 1993-4. It is large and bulky, not aesthetically pleasing with little or no articulation, is introspective and makes no contribution to its riverside location in a conservation area. The building is inappropriate for the site. In our opinion, this scheme only addresses the health and fitness needs of the Community. There will be mechanical extract and ventilation systems on the roof for the fitness centre. Because of the nature of the anticipated activities, the building requires little natural light (the Dojo itself,apparently, must only be lit artificially to maintain consistent light levels) and the only spaces which will really benefit from windows are the café (overlooking the River) and the dance studio (but only at high level). The Centre is essentially inward looking. The two storey building is about 8 metres high but its area is not disclosed). They have chosen a site adjacent to the playground and their premises are accessible only from it. Bu'sen makes a robust case for seeking to enlarge its holistic martial arts and fitness centre, currently located in King Street, by creating a "mixed portfolio" (but not large) building comprising competition size Dojo (martial arts and performance area, also used for indoor bowls), larger training and fitness rooms, and refreshment area and adding a ladies only dance studio, meeting room / crèche as well as adequate changing rooms, therapy rooms and lavatories.The Environment Trust for RUT Twickenham River Centre.The proposals also have to meet the criteria of the UDP (Unitary Development Plan). Each entry is accompanied by a business plan, costings, and architectural drawings (but, strangely, no contextual elevations) and other information to justify its case. The short-term scheme of the playground and café was completed last Spring. Each contender has been offered approximately 800m² of the former swimming pool site of their own choice to come up with a scheme of community benefit which can be included in the Council's own long-term 5 year plan for the redevelopment of the whole site. There are three remaining worthy contenders for the Twickenham Challenge. TWICKENHAM CHALLENGE: EEL PIE ISLAND ASSOCIATION RESPONSE
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