[Originally published January 2014 - Click here to view updates] For almost four years there has been controversy relating to a proposed addition to the 18th century warehouse in the Lutheran Church block in Strand Street. The structure has been altered radically over the years and, today, it is prized for its landmark importance; its context in the close association it has with the historical Lutheran Church and the culturally significant structures in Strand Street, between Buitengracht and Bree Street.
Last November, the Planning and General Appeals Committee ruled that an appeal by the developer against an earlier decision had failed.
The minutes of this meeting list a number of reasons as irrefutable facts with no principles advanced in support of them.
One of the reasons given is that the “...26m-high building will ‘dominate’ the historical street block and ‘detract’ from the Lutheran Church as the landmark building within the block”.
An early version of the plan
The appeals committee, and those who have protested against the proposed alteration, appear to be oblivious to the fact that the “historical streetscape” is limited to one side of Strand Street, or that all around the church the historical context has been eroded by new, tall, out-of-scale structures (one directly across the road from the church).
Recognition of these realities should feature in any genuine critique of the proposed...
