A council has granted permission for the replacement of a listed building with two new homes in part due to the architect of the original home being the applicant.
Derrick Shorten designed the home in Hertfordshire, Stevenage, in 1966 and the home eventually became Grade II listed due to its "classic modernist vision of large windows" and "floating cantilevered components".
However, planning permission has now been granted for the home to be torn down and replaced, despite its listed status.
Building to be replaced by two modernist homes
The approved plans are for the replacement of the listed building with two new detached homes.
These will include three bedroom and four bedroom dwellings both with driveway access onto Whitney Drive.
It is said the new homes will be in the same style and inspired by the listed house as they will also include wooden panels around their flat roofs and in modernist designs like with this home.
Those opposed claim new homes are 'not in keeping'
The council received a number of complaints about the proposal from local residents.
One resident, Steve French, stated: "[The applicant] has previously objected to proposals made by other residents of Whitney Drive quoting an array of facts and the effect the subsequent proposals would have on the Architectural Merit of 71 Whitney Drive.
"I am confused as to why 71 Whitney Drive is now absent of Architectural Merit. After all 71 Whitney Drive was referenced as an example of good modern design on page 54 of the Stevenage Design Guide SPD."
The Twentieth Century Society (C20), a national charity campaigning to protect Britain’s modern architectural and design heritage, also stated: "C20 is concerned to learn that planning permission has been granted to demolish [the property] in Stevenage, Hertfordshire."
Mr Kuljinder Kandola, another resident raised concerns that the new development would not be "in keeping with the area using large walls to block in gardens and along my shared boundary line" and the new house designs "has no similarity to the current house".
Demolish order allowed in part due to the original architect being the applicant
Despite the Planning Officer's report stating the "existing dwelling clearly has architectural significance" due to its "modernist design, with its large windows and reinforced concrete to allow for floating cantilevered components" permission was still granted for its removal.
This was justified as the design inspiration of the new proposed dwellings has been "heavily influenced by the existing, with similar architectural features but with a contemporary twist".
The council also stated: "It is also worth noting that the architect of the existing dwelling is the applicant for this proposal and the architect is a family member who has had regard to the original modernist design in the design inspiration for the replacement dwellings."
As it was deemed a "non-designated heritage asset" in the planning documents listed building consent was not required for its removal.
