(Article from London Roar August Edition)
Obtaining planning consent for the new balcony started last year with a pre-planning application. The whole process takes a long time and as we go to publication the council has just approved our application. This is great news.
The Putney Society wrote a letter to the planning authority in support of our application, the last sentence was especially wonderful to read: “We note that several of the other boathouses have been allowed new or replacement balconies in recent years, but none as stylish”. Well done to Stuart Forbes our architect and Alex Fothergill our engineer.
Members may recall from an earlier article that the Council’s Urban Design and Conservation Officer was keen to see the balustrade reflect the design of the original balcony that was in place between 1871 and about 1920. This presented a problem as the open nature of the original design would not comply with current building regulations to ensure that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any openings in the guarding.
An elegant solution has been worked up by our architects which incorporates narrow railings within the balustrade sections. This is entirely in keeping with the building and will look very smart indeed in London Rowing Club blue.
A soil survey has been carried out to ascertain the load bearing nature of the ground. The soil survey used a rig to drive steel rods into the ground and take samples to a depth of 10m. The ground is ‘made ground’ and Fothergill engineers are currently working on a solution to ensure we have appropriate foundations.
The supporting structure of the new balcony will be fabricated in steel, which will support a steel grating overlaid with a deck similar to the new riverside walkway outside Fulham Football Club. Work is underway currently examining and refining the detail of the construction so that we can place a contract for dismantling the present balcony and building the new one.
For more information speak to Bill Baker or me.
Peter Halford
