Plans have been revealed for 80 new apartments at St Michaels Court, which at lies the corner of Sycamore Road and Woodside Road in Amersham.
Residents evaluated that the regeneration project would come with both “positives and negatives”.
Amersham Action Group, which was set up to protect the interests of Amersham-on-the-Hill, has responded to the initial proposals circulated by developers Sorbon. Whilst acknowledging that the site is “in need of revitalisation”, the group’s chairperson Jane Barnes is “keen to ensure that this project is the right thing for the town”.
Jane suggested that the “generic design” of the project is at odds with Amersham’s heritage aesthetic.
She is also concerned that the new building will tower above the next-door church and cast a shadow on the other side of the street for most of the day.
She said: “We’re also worried for the current tenants who will be greatly impacted by the development for the many years it takes to complete.”
Currently, St Michael’s Court hosts a number of shops and cafes on the ground floor, including the well-loved restaurant Barracuda, whilst offering two storeys of space for offices and flats above.
The proposed redevelopment would see 5 new commercial spaces opened up at street level. Around 80 one and two-bedroom apartments would be built to span five floors.
A spokesperson for Sorbon stated: “Sorbon Estates is excited to bring forward the redevelopment proposals for this prominent and under-utilised site. We have been engaging with local stakeholders throughout this process to share our proposals and to listen to their thoughts.
“There will be no loss to the amount of existing retail areas currently within St Michael’s Court, with the new units offering a variety of areas to best meet occupier demand.
“Sustainability is important to us, and we will be providing highly sustainable and energy efficient homes. Emissions in comparison to the existing building will be cut by almost 50 per cent.”
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