Comment Losing the wood for the trees...
waterside pubs in England. Turned down for statutory listing, The Flapper is now under threat.
A recent planning application for its demolition and the creation of a 12 and five-storey block in its place would have irretrievably altered the spacious feel of this area and begun the process of extending the ‘canyon’ effect.
The planning application has been withdrawn but it is likely that further applications will be lodged.
Unsympathetic piecemeal infilling is going to ruin Birmingham’s cityscape and impact on the health and wellbeing of us all.
Birmingham missed a trick in failing to celebrate the Central Library and allowing its demolition.
Let’s not miss the unique opportunity presented by our canals and the few remaining later 20th century buildings, which speak so forcefully of the growth and optimism of this key period in Birmingham’s history.
Green spaces, interesting vistas and an attractive skyline call for respectful treatment of the environment when new developments are being considered. Now is the time to think twice about sacrificing everything to square footage and consider how we might make best use of the city’s existing assets.
Join us next time to explore Birmingham’s first purpose-built commercial area, down the Hagley
Road, in Edgbaston Brutiful Birmingham is a campaign group established to raise awareness of and fight for the retention of the best of late 20th century buildings in Birmingham.
We welcome your views: www. facebook.com/Brutiful-Birmingham, follow us on twitter: twitter.com/ brutifulbrum, or email us at : brutiful2015@gmail.com. Mary Keating represents the Brutiful Birmingham
campaign group