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I am appalled by the way in which this venture is being handled. I have no complaints about modern architecture (how could I, I live in a prize-winning example) but architecture does not exist in a vacuum, and must acknowledge context no matter how beautiful the individual building is. I cannot speak for the other sites, but the way the house at Dungeness has been handled speaks of the most gruesome 'de haut en bas' 'we know better than the oiks who happen to be sharing the space with my glorious idea' attitude. There is a community in Dungeness, based around a struggling fishing industry, a community that goes back generations and their opinions were totally overridden. Pearl Cottage - the oldest house on the beach was up for demolition to make way for Alain de Botton's 'vision' and they objected to the planning committee in huge numbers. Their objections were ignored. These are no Luddites or haters of modern architecture - there are already two striking modern houses on the beach. But enough is enough. This is a living, working community, not a Vitra architectural museum. The fragile ecology of this place is often cited and care is taken of it, but what of the human ecology which is just as fragile? The community has absorbed weekenders for years, but weekenders who mostly 'join in' and respect those who live and work here all year round. What Dungeness does NOT need is a house let out on a short term basis to people who can have no interest in the real life that goes on in Dungeness and who will bring nothing to it.

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