Residents Object to Putney Embankment Cafe's Air-con Units
System has already been installed on the riverside flat roof
The boathouse backs on to Ruvigny Gardens. Picture: Google Earth
August 1, 2024
More than 20 residents have raised objections to an air conditioning system that has already been built on the flat roof above a café on Putney Embankment.
Although the air conditioning units were installed near Putney High School Boathouse in September 2023, the D3 architecture and design studio based in the building, has just applied for planning permission for their installation.
They have applied to Wandsworth Council for permission for the Daikin air conditioning units, which replaced older units at the riverside property.
A 'Noise Impact Assessment (NIA)' report submitted on behalf of the applicant by Venta Acoustics states that, "The proposed scheme is not expected to have a significant adverse noise impact and the relevant planning requirements have been shown to be met."
It says that closest property in nearby Ruvigny Gardens would not be affected, as noise emissions from the new plant have been assessed to be sufficiently below the local background noise level to meet council regulations.
But 22 residents in Ruvigny Gardens have put in objections to the scheme, based on noise as well as the "ugliness" of the units in the Putney Conservation Area.
Several objectors have also mentioned a newly installed CCTV camera, which they say is "intrusive". They also point out that while the NIA mentions the units only being in use in office hours, the café is open at 7am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Many have suggested wooden coverings are put around the units, and the external ducting should be housed internally.
One neighbour commented, "My property overlooks the river and I can see the air con units from the upper floors. However, my concern is not only the view but potentially the constant noise when they are switched on. There were two air conditioning machines and now they have increased in number with unsightly ducting down the exterior."
A photo of the new aircon units from documents submitted with the application
Another added, "The Boathouse is a good addition to the Putney embankment however the visible air condition units are real let down and can be covered to show the basic respect to the nearby neighbours."
You can find out more by searching for application number 2024/2218 on Wandsworth Council's planning explorer.
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