A modernist home at 71 Whitney Drive in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, attracted the attention of English Heritage due to its “classic modernist vision of large windows and floating cantilevered components”. As a result, the property was Grade II listed, despite only being designed in 1966.
However, the house has now been removed from the register of listed buildings and planning permission has been granted for its demolition and replacement by two new modernist, detached homes. The new properties will be a three bedroom and a four bedroom, each with driveway access onto Whitney Drive and will be built in a style inspired by the listed house, including wooden panels around flat roofs and a modernist design.
The designer of number 71 was Derrick Shorten, who was also the project designer for Coventry Train Station, which was opened in 1962 and became Grade II listed in 1995.
Numerous objections have been raised. Mr Shorten himself had previously objected to proposed new housing on Whitney Drive because of the detrimental effect it would have on the Architectural Merit of number 71 and its listing on the Local Heritage Asset Register.
Local resident, Steve French, stated that he was “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.”
National charity Twentieth Century Society, which campaigns to protect Britain’s modern architectural and design heritage, stated that it was “concerned to learn that planning permission has been granted to demolish” the property.
The Planning Officer’s report stated that 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”. However, permission was still granted for its removal “due to the applicant being the original architect” – Derrick Shorten.
While Derrick Shorten is the applicant, the named architect of the new properties is a family member “who has had regard to the original modernist design in the design inspiration for the replacement dwellings”.
Listed building consent was not required for the removal of number 71 as it was deemed a “non-designated heritage asset” in the planning documents as it had been delisted.