LIBRARY CAMPAIGNERS FIGHTING BACK

26-06-2008

Campaigners trying to save Birmingham’s Central Library are hitting back at the City Council’s lobbying campaign against the building’s possible listing by organising their own letter writing protest.

Alan Clawley, who is leading the efforts to preserve John Madin’s 1973 Brutalist masterpiece is calling on supporters to lobby Culture Minister Margaret Hodge. She'll have to decide whether or not to endorse English Heritage, who think it should be protected.

As we revealed yesterday, Council bosses have been writing to key decision makers asking them to support demolition (see link here).

Here’s Clawley’s response:

To all Friends of the Central Library

Margaret Hodge's Department for Culture Media and Sport has invited all those who have made representations about the Council's application for a Certificate of Immunity from Listing to submit further comments following the release of English Heritage's report recommending that the Library be listed.

We have been given until 11 July to do so.

As you would expect the City Council has emailed all their supporters to ask them write to Ms Hodge to urge her NOT to list the building as this would jeopardize their plans for "regenerating" Paradise Circus (see Stirrer 25 June).

I propose to submit a paper from Friends of the Library, but I think we should show the Minister that we too can mobilise individuals and organisations in support of Listing.

I therefore urge you to write in whatever capacity you are able to:

RT HON MARGARET HODGE MBE MP
DEPARTMENT FOR CUTLTURE MEDIA AND SPORT
2-4 COCKSPUR STREET
LONDON
SW1 5DH

All you need say is:

I/WE AGREE WITH THE ENGLISH HERITAGE RECOMMENDATION THAT BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL
LIBRARY BE LISTED, AND URGE YOU TO REFUSE THE CITY COUNCIL'S APPLICATION FOR
A CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNITY.