Topic ID 1315
Does anyone know what is being built behind the Hillside, and below Treetops? There's a huge amount of excavation going on, concrete pilings etc. I heard a rumour that an eccentric building surveyor is building a house here, and that he is building a lift to take his car up to the level of the house! It does look as though they have built a lift shaft.
Reply ID 15895
Thanks Nora for asking this! I go past the site most days and am intrigued - keep meaning to post on here too.. let's see if anyone knows!
Reply ID 15896
I noticed this as well and discounted a property as there doesn't seem to be enough space. Surely the location had been furnished with the neccessary yellow planning application notices before this work started.
Reply ID 15902
quote:Planning permission for a new dwelling here was granted in Nov 2003.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I noticed this as well and discounted a property as there doesn't seem to be enough space. Surely the location had been furnished with the neccessary yellow planning application notices before this work started.
Reply ID 15903
Yes thats right, he is building a lift to take his car up to his house....
Reply ID 15904
You'd think an architect would have heard of stairs.
Reply ID 15905
quote:Maybe the owner has a disability and it's a way of being able to stay in his own home? I imagine stairs would be very steep in that area. Nice to see a bit of ingenuity and something a little different in design though. I wouldn't want to get stuck in the lift though! [xx(]
Originally posted by skanky
You'd think an architect would have heard of stairs.
Reply ID 15906
quote:Good point, but why lift the whole car when you can lift just a few people? Also, his car will be stuck if there's a power cut.
Maybe the owner has a disability and it's a way of being able to stay in his own home?
Reply ID 15907
Maybe he's read the forum and has seen how we all get annoyed about on street parking, or not being about to park near our own houses!! [;)]
Reply ID 15908
Yes there is a lift but it is certainly not for cars - he's not that eccentric!
Reply ID 15909
quote:You could park in the space where the lift would be but not actually raise the car. Which, it seems, is what he's actually doing.
Originally posted by SMT
Maybe he's read the forum and has seen how we all get annoyed about on street parking, or not being about to park near our own houses!! [;)]
Reply ID 15913
Has he excavated into the hillside (not the restaurant!) to make space for the property?
Reply ID 15917
Is it going to have 2 entrances? It seems they've knocked down Treetop's garage, but it looks as though they are also making another drive.
Reply ID 19695
I live in one of the cottages in front of the house being built. It is being built in the hill with a lift for people to get to it. Not a car!!!! I think it will amazing when it's finished although it's taking some time now, with builders working 7 days a week (getting used to the noise and swearing now).
Reply ID 19700
My friend lives in one of the cottages in front of the new house. The owner is apparently and architect and is planning a roof top swimming pool ! sounds lovely although she is also now getting fed up of the constant noise !
Reply ID 19895
quote:I have been asked by the person responsible to respond on his behalf: "Dear Hawkey, Sorry - I'm responsible for the building! I'll see what I can do about the Anglo-Saxon. 7 day working should cease now the roof's on - or if not, it will be quiet, internal work. Let me know your details and I'll make sure you have an invitation to the opening. Thanks for your patience and forbearance. Regards"
Originally posted by hawkeye
I live in one of the cottages in front of the house being built. It is being built in the hill with a lift for people to get to it. Not a car!!!! I think it will amazing when it's finished although it's taking some time now, with builders working 7 days a week (getting used to the noise and swearing now).
Reply ID 19955
Alison Can you thank the gentleman for his reply. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining as I am fully aware that there would be noise ect. I am sure the house will be amazing can't wait to see it finished does he know when this would be? Thank him for the invite.
Reply ID 19958
It's the sort of thing you see on Grand designs. Any film crews been spotted?
Reply ID 19968
I'm sure he didn't take it as a complaint. As for completion date i believe it is in September .... but that (as with all building works) could be written in sand. No film crews - Grand Designs were busy.
Reply ID 20077
Q. How's work going on the lift then? A. Oh you know, up and down.
Reply ID 20426
quote:I remeber the original house when I was growing up (wont tell you haow many years ago!), my friends grandfather lived there and the only way up was the winding path and steps up from the garage between the cottages below. I can remeber going up there a few times and it always felt like quite an adventure, He would not believe what is going on there now!
Originally posted by Titus Groan
Q. How's work going on the lift then? A. Oh you know, up and down.
Reply ID 20747
Does anyone else think this house is a bit too modern looking for its location ??? or maybe its just me ??
Reply ID 20757
It will eventually look like something from Thunderbirds - a bit like a control tower for aircraft landing. The council approved it - I have seen the plans and it looks awful.
Reply ID 21032
The lift is definatley only for people. Also the front of the house is going to have glass right across the front - giving superb views of Hertford I would imagine![;)]
Reply ID 21050
quote:Agree....I think it looks out of place
Does anyone else think this house is a bit too modern looking for its location ??? or maybe its just me ??
Reply ID 21056
The lift is an eyesore
Reply ID 21060
Finally a topic that's stirred me into action to join!!! Talk about self-interest!! Sorry! I live in one of the cottages in front of the new lift. I was amazed it was granted planning permission but there you are - just looking forward to the end of the building work now. I must confess I'm happy to hear completion in September. I can see they're working around the clock - even weekends to get it done. I'll be happt to welcome my new neighbours of course but - can we residents have a guarantee that all the building debris will be cleared up properly? The pavement on Port Hill is really filthy and has been all through the work - not nice to trapse into my house every eve! Moan over and I hope you enjoy the house when it's finished! Welcome to Port Hill.
Reply ID 21064
quote:Talk about self-interest!! Sorry!
Originally posted by Michael
Finally a topic that's stirred me into action to join!!!
quote:I used to live in one of the 2 bed cottages on Port Hill that this will overlook. Like I said earlier, a thunderbirds replica with a lift for all personnel. A certain planning officer called Mr Fairbrass is responsible for allowing this, shame he has retired now. Thank god I moved out. I am now preparing to be sanctioned by Admin for my comments.
Originally posted by Michael
I live in one of the cottages in front of the new lift.
Reply ID 21083
planning rules are interestingly nonsensical tho.. A planner cannot refuse permission just because they dont like its appearance. there has to be reason, i.e. conservation area, etc. which presumably this area isnt? must say tho i'm tempted to head out to the area and have a look :)
Reply ID 21242
Anyone know what is planned for the area at the end of the cottages. I think after the cottages that were there were pulled down it became a garden, I seem to remeber a greenhouse poking out over the fence. Now it looks like the beginings of a sweeping down hill ski run that goes newhere. I am interested as my Dad was born in one of those and my Grandparents and Great Grandparents lived there.
Reply ID 21579
quote:The planner didn't refuse permission because he felt he liked the site. He had to take government planning guidelines into place. Sadly, it happens to be within the whole of planning legislation. The legislation is destroying Hertford as a whole, and objections to a property not being in keeping with any given area, not just on Port Hill, seem worthless. Has anyone got the picture of the Horse and Cart outside the Pub to upload here, just so Codek2 can marvel in how it used to be (if admin accepts it)?
Originally posted by codek2
planning rules are interestingly nonsensical tho.. A planner cannot refuse permission just because they dont like its appearance. there has to be reason, i.e. conservation area, etc. which presumably this area isnt? must say tho i'm tempted to head out to the area and have a look :)
Reply ID 21909
that'd be good.. is hertford itself actually one of those so called conservation areas? i guess not.. how could it become one?
Reply ID 21913
The town centre is a conservation area. I don't think you can make a whole town a conservation area.
Reply ID 21954
quote:Ages ago we spoke with the Conservation officer for Hertford (the shop's listed) and he mentioned that Bengeo was in the conservation area too. I know that the bit of Railway Street by Hertford East is included, though technically this could be within the town centre bracket.
Originally posted by Steve
The town centre is a conservation area. I don't think you can make a whole town a conservation area.
Reply ID 21959
We used to live in Port Vale and was informed that it was within the conservation area ! I had to contact the council about rules and regulations for a satelite dish.
Reply ID 21965
We're in a conservation area in Byde Street
Reply ID 22016
we're in a conservation area on Bengeo Street
Reply ID 22069
4th one down on this page, when the cottages had gardens, around the time my Great Grandparents lived there. http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/hertford-extra.htm
Reply ID 22078
quote:Brilliant site.
Originally posted by Marilyn
4th one down on this page, when the cottages had gardens, around the time my Geart Grandparents lived there. http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/hertford-extra.htm
Reply ID 22109
quote:It is isn't it!
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Brilliant site.
Originally posted by Marilyn
4th one down on this page, when the cottages had gardens, around the time my Geart Grandparents lived there. http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/hertford-extra.htm
Reply ID 22562
Tomorrow, I will post a picture of the conservation area as a whole in adobe format. Would that be of interest to people?
Reply ID 22578
yup, definately interesting to see.. has anyone managed any pics of this place on port hill yet? :)
Reply ID 23882
Any chance the new owners can give an update on this. It would have been nice to have received some news through the door as a resident directly impacted by the work. Unfortunately I haven't heard a thing from anyone since the work started well over a year ago. It's certainly not going to be finished by September. I worked that one out for myself! Thanks in anticipation!
Reply ID 28298
planning permission for more building work has been submitted for Treetop to have extension and an external lift!!!! Where this going to go? More building work!! It feels like we constantly living on a building site with no end to the work.
Reply ID 28313
I thought that the lift had already been built!? Or are they putting in a planning application retrospectivly
Reply ID 28322
yes the lift for the new house has already been built, but planning permission for Treetops (the exsiting house) has been put in for a external lift and other building work!
Reply ID 28879
quote:So they want a lift for each house? is there room for that? there seems little enough room for what has already been done.
Originally posted by hawkeye
yes the lift for the new house has already been built, but planning permission for Treetops (the exsiting house) has been put in for a external lift and other building work!
Reply ID 28939
That's what it says on the planning application letter that came through my door. It seems at the moment the building work has come to a stop on the new house! Not sure if they are waiting for approval so that they can start more building work on treetops then finish the car park after. It would be nice to be kept informed. Never ending building work!!!!![:(]
Reply ID 28953
The owners of the new property did promise verbally at the onset of work in 2005 that they would keep us informed. Unfortunately that hasn't happened. The work for the new property has gone on a lot longer than anyone expected. As for two lifts - why should the Port Hill residents be penalised by yet more work just because the original application had inadequacies. Such a major structure as the existing lift should surely be serving both properties.[V]