Middlesex Guildhall - STOP THIS FOLLY!

[plumbers mate]

>>Save has asked for a judicial review of Westminster City Council's decision to grant planning permission. But a spokeswoman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs says the "worst they can do is delay the project." <<

Even a delay is better than them starting work - a delay means things might change - work started is the end of hope.

 

[Nemesis]

That was about Adam's comment when I sent him the article.

 

[Craig]

Seems to me that the exsiting law court would make a good law court too? Surely figuring out some kind of covered parking for police vans isnt beyond the wit of the architects, without trashing the interrior.

 

[Nemesis]

Oh but they want shiny and modern... noolabour you see. And nootory too it appears.

I agree - the police vans stuff is a Red Herring really. It's been working fine as a court as far as I can tell...

 

[Penners]

Seems to me that the exsiting law court would make a good law court too?

Oh, don't be silly. You can't use it as a law court just because it's a law court. First you have to trash it, then spend millions refurbishing it to an inferior standard.

It's the New Labour way.

 

[Nemesis]

Actually Penners, what puzzles us is the idea that 'this will just delay things' ... so is HM Gov saying that if the results of the JR find that this has not been a lawful decision, it will go ahead anyhow?

 

[Penners]

I'll give you one guess.

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.dca.gov.uk/supreme/st070301.pdf

Update.

The plans fully supported by English Heritage.....

Try ripping out a significant interior from a II* private dwelling and see what EH and your local authority both have to say!

 

[Penners]

The plans fully supported by English Heritage.....

What...?! :shock:

 

[Nemesis]

They may have been leaned on... oh, they will cite public benefit I am sure.

There's a great deal of pressure being brought to bear on the Lord Chancellor, questions are being asked in the Hice etc...

It ain't over yet.

 

[Nemesis]

Oh - I note the DCA simply says it's refurbishment...

Nope, it's ruination.

http://www.dca.gov.uk/supreme/index.htm#5

 

[Nemesis]

Very sad news indeed:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1576813.ece

What rubbish. I wonder how many councillors on the planning committee have even heard of PPG 15 let alone know of its provisions. Perhaps they should be made to sit a test...

I know those who serve on my local authority DCC haven't much idea.

What a terrible precedent to set to allow a significant historic interior in a II* listed building to be ripped out.

 

[Penners]

a significant historic interior in a II* listed building to be ripped out.

No, no, no... improved.

George Orwell called it "doublespeak".

 

[Nemesis]

It's a very sad decision re the JR. It's a nasty precedent to set.

We tried... but it always is David and Goliath and very depressing at times.

 

[Penners]

David won.

 

[Nemesis]

Thank you. I will pass that on. It may prove of some cheer.

 

[Nemesis]

Simon Jenkins in the Groan today:

Britain's law lords have been a rare and valiant check on the burgeoning power of the executive, working from a scruffy corridor in the Palace of Westminster. This week disaster struck. A sycophantic judge gave them permission to break the law on listed-building consent "in the national interest", so they could destroy the old Middlesex Guildhall opposite parliament for an inflated palace to their self-aggrandisement. The judge, incidentally, refused protesters the right to appeal, laughably, to the law lords. In a ruling worthy of the Burma junta, he implied that there would be no point. Within five years of this edifice complex, I guarantee the law lords will be a mere subdivision of Lord Falconer's new Ministry of Justice.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2046268,00.html

 

[Nemesis]

While the legal battle goes, some kind person has started an e-petition (without telling SAVE!)

Rather short notice but please all sign, every little helps, and please pass to anyone you know.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/guildhall/#detail

 

[Nemesis]

Well - nine sigs so far - come on people, at least 100 required...

 

[Nemesis]

Latest:


Commons Select Committee Tuesday:

Constitutional Affairs Committee
Accommodation for the new Supreme Court

Witnesses:
(i) Adam Wilkinson, Secretary, SAVE Britain’s Heritage, and Dr Kathryn Ferry, Senior Architectural Adviser, The Victorian Society
(ii) Rt Hon Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC, Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor, Department for Constitutional Affairs (at 16.45)

16.15

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House


Legal stuff:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3085254&c=1&encCode=00000000012e8e54