Campaign fails to get listed protection for square designed by renowned architect
A1960s shopping precinct in Birmingham city centre has been denied protected listed status – paving the way for a major regeneration which could see it completely demolished.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has provisionally approved a Certificate of Immunity from Listing (CoI) for The Square, in Corporation Street.
Property group Hammerson, which co-owns the Bullring and Grand Central, bought the site outright in 2015 and is in the early stages of drawing up major regeneration plans as part of the ‘Martineau Galleries’ project which includes a series of neighbouring buildings.
Brutiful Birmingham, a campaign group which aims to preserve the city’s 20th century architecture, applied during the summer for ‘ The Square’ to be listed but this was countered a few weeks later by Hammerson which lodged the application for a CoI.
Government heritage body Historic England assessed both applications before submitting its reports and advice to the DCMS so it could make the final decision.
The Secretary of State has now determined not to list The Square in line with Historic England’s advice and is “minded to grant a CoI” .
That decision is now subject to a 28-day review period, which started on December 14. Representations can be made to the Government before the certificate is either withdrawn or made official.
Listed status offers buildings an extra level of protection and, although they can still be altered or even demolished, extra regulation exists and additional criteria must be met before redevelopment work can commence.
Granting a CoI for The Square means it cannot be listed for five years, giving Hammerson more time to draw up its regeneration plans, work with tenants which might have to leave and, if it chooses, to start knocking it down.
A statement from Hammerson said: “We are pleased to have received confirmation that our application for a CoI has been recommended by Historic England.
“This site is a strategic priority for the city and has been designated for development for the past ten years. Martineau Galleries will regenerate this part of Birmingham and create significant employment opportunities.
“There is huge potential for the area to become an iconic ‘front door’ to the city for visitors from the new High Speed 2 train station at Curzon Street, just as Selfridges has become a global icon for Bullring.”
The building, previously known as Priory Square, opened in 1966 and was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the man behind Liverpool’s famous Metropolitan Cathedral, itself grade II* listed.
He trained at the then-Birmingham School of Art and The Square is his only work in the city.
It was once home to the O2 Academy concert venue but that moved to Bristol Road in 2009 while current tenants include live escape game Escape Hunt which only opened in March this year.
A report produced by Historic England said The Square was “an interesting composition” but the design fell short of the level of interest required for national listing, adding that alterations over the years had detracted considerably from it.
It acknowledged the association with Sir Frederick Gibberd added some historic interest to The Square but that was not sufficient to merit listing.
Brutiful Birmingham said: “We are very disappointed this decision has been made which potentially allows the developers to demolish this complex.
“In indicating the precinct, despite being designed by Frederick Gibberd, is not of sufficient national importance, the assessment does acknowledge it has local importance.
“We would urge the city, planners, councillors and developers to keep these factors at the forefront of their minds when considering any future planning application.
“The city, not just Historic England, has a duty to conserve its heritage and this period is particularly vulnerable.”