Memorial quarrels

When David Cameron announced a commission in 2014 to examine how best to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, a national memorial was but one of the options. The body that was established to take the idea forwards identified three potential locations, including the Imperial War Museum, which already had plans to build a new wing for a learning centre linked to expanded and upgraded Holocaust galleries in the main building.

At some point, however, it was decided that a site close to Westminster would meet the commission’s vision for “a prominent and striking memorial”; whereupon controversy began. The chosen location was Victoria Tower Gardens, next to the Palace of Westminster. Local residents objected, especially when they saw the design for not just the memorial but an underground learning centre on a scale that had not previously been appreciated. A head of steam grew behind this location even though it was rejected by Westminster city council. The Government became wedded to this particular site even though it was apparent that it was deeply contentious, setting Jewish groups and architects against each other.

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, halted the plans and set up an inquiry, which has now come down in favour of proceeding. But it did so on the finest of balances.

Had the Imperial War Museum been chosen from the outset, this project would have gone forwards with great good will from all concerned. It is a great shame that such an important matter was unnecessarily turned into a divisive planning, environmental and cultural battleground.