Library 2

PARADISE PLAN “JUST EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES”

27-06-2008

Birmingham Council argues that unless the Central Library is demolished, plans to redevelop Paradise Circus will be stymied. But Alan Clawley, who wants the 1973 building preserved, reckons city leaders are wearing the Emperor’s New Clothes.

Its quite clear from the last few days of media frenzy that Birmingham's establishment is using every trick in the book to discredit not only the Central Library as a piece of historic architecture and its architect John Madin, but also serious bodies like English Heritage and the Twentieth Century Society.

But one thing the City Council has failed to do is show us their plan for Paradise Circus.

And they can't do that because there isn't one.

So instead we are being fed seductive glossy pictures of buildings in other cities designed by the seven architects short-listed for the new library in the Birmingham Post's City Living supplement yesterday.

On the same day Regeneration chief Clive Dutton gets a double page spread in the Commercial Property pull-out to wax lyrical once again about the Big Plan and how it will produce a NEW LIBRARY that will be an "iconic landmark". Promises, promises!

But who is going to design the NEW PARADISE CIRCUS and what will it look like?

The Council complains that listing the Central Library will spoil their plan.

Yet they have no plan.

They don't even have a developer poised to make a planning application.

If they do have either it's not like them to keep quiet about it.

So how can the people of Birmingham and the Minister decide whether the Council is right or wrong about the impact of Listing?

Why don't they show us why the sacrifice of the Central Library is so necessary?

DOES BIRMINGHAM COUNCIL HAVE A PLAN FOR PARADISE CIRCUS? AND IF IT DOESN’T, CAN WE BE SURE THE LIBRARY WILL BE REPLACED BY SOMETHING WORTHWHILE? LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE STIRRER FORUM