St George’s Cross on Big Ben ‘a return to designer’s vision’

THE BLUEPRINT revealing how Sheffield will be developed over the next 16 years has been “slipped out” quietly just before the summer holidays, claim councillors and residents.

The anticipated 300-page Local Plan will detail how Sheffield Council plans to develop the city between now and 2034. The council expects it will need 43,000 new homes and one issue of importance will be whether any Green Belt sites will be built on.

The Local Plan was due to go before Cabinet next week but has suddenly been switched to a Cabinet member decision at the end of the month. Labour has denied decisions are being made “behind closed doors” and promises “massive” consultation.

Christopher Pennell, of Dore Village Society, said people would miss the plan as it was “slipped out” during holiday season.

Labour’s Cabinet member for Development, Coun Jack Scott, said: “Nothing is behind done behind closed doors.” BIG BEN is to return to its original Victorian colour scheme, which includes the Cross of St George and blue numbers on the clock face, parliamentary authorities have revealed.

An artist’s impression showing six shields bearing the red and white English national flag above each dial was revealed by the House of Commons Commission.

The blackened dials of the famous clock will also revert to Prussian blue numbers with gold frames filled with white glass as part of the £61 million renovation of the Elizabeth Tower.

Other areas of black paint around the outside will be gilded.

The plan follows modern analysis of the layers of paint that have built up on the tower over the decades.

It is believed that the current colour scheme was adopted in the early 20th century after the Victorian building, designed by Charles Barry, had been blackened by decades of heavy air pollution in London.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake, spokesman for the Commission, said: “The new colour scheme, it is not going to be dramatically different to what people see now. However it is restoring it back to what Charles Barry had in mind.

“Something that people will notice is a contrast between the clock face and the clock hands and the surrounding tower.”

Regarding the St George’s Cross, he said: “It represents what is best about England and the English nature.

“Obviously the Scots, the Welsh and Northern Irish are represented on the tower with the different rosettes that are there representing those countries. So I’m sure they won’t object to that.”

Shields bearing a rose, leek, shamrock and thistle can be found above the clock on the tower, representing the four home nations.