The 拢10 million revamp of Birmingham鈥檚 famous Centenary Square has been put on hold following scathing criticism from city planners.
A network of 43 lighting columns were described as obstructive and overbearing, proposals to alter the Hall of Memory called unnecessary and fears that a fountain feature would end up neglected and broken like the and other .
Planning committee member cllr Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a few trees, over sized street lights and a paddling pool. That鈥檚 all it is for 拢10.4 million, I鈥檝e seen more interesting dishwater. It seems very cluttered, very claustrophobic.鈥
Committee members could not understand how the square, with so many large lighting columns, would accommodate large outdoor events, the big wheel, concerts and ice rink, or the large lorries and cranes needed to set them up.
Cllr Barry Henley (Lab, Brandwood) echoed the view that there was little to gain from the works and that left alone it will feel more like a square once the 鈥榚legant鈥 HSBC building work is completed.
鈥淚t does strike me as a waste of money and a pointless exercise. We鈥檇 be better off employing a block paving contractor to level it out,鈥 he added.
There were also concerns raised about the loss of a historic London Plane tree installed in Broad Street in 1876 and the impact of Metro tram extension work due to take place over the next three years.
Such was the weight of criticism that, in a highly unusual move, planning committee chairman Mike Sharpe (Lab, Tyburn) intervened saying he too has reservations and suggested while joking 鈥榯his will probably get me shot鈥 that the planning application to be put on hold to allow further discussions with architects and council leadership to see if the design could be improved.
The committee had earlier heard that the contentious proposal to reinstall a set of paving slabs dedicated to Birmingham鈥檚 Victoria Cross heroes in a new access ramp to the historic Hall of Memory had been dropped. As a result of this and other amendments to proposals for Birmingham鈥檚 premier war memorial heritage watchdog Historic England had withdrawn its objections.
The design was created by Edinburgh-based practice Graeme Massie Architects to redesign and revamp the popular square in front of the Library of Birmingham.
Talks will now take place before the planning application is brought back to the committee on August 18 for a final decision.
Watch below: Redesign of Centenary Square
