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CENTRAL LIBRARY "OF NO ARCHITECTURAL MERIT"

11-12-2007

Leaked documents seen by The Stirrer show that Birmingham Council regards the Central Library as having “no architectural merit” – even though it has been hailed as a “masterpiece” by one leading expert.

The dismissive comment is made in a confidential paper to the city’s Planning Committee Clive Dutton, director of Planning and Regeneration, who was explaining why the building should be granted a Certificate of Immunity from listing.

He adds that it is, “no longer fit for purpose; in extensive disrepair requiring very considerable expenditure; preventing the redevelopment of Paradise Circus which will greatly improve the city centre and prejudicing the continued enhancement and comprehensive development of the West End; not readily capable of adaptation for alternative use.”

Curiously, in The Stirrer’s copy the legal advice given to Dutton and the Cabinet has been “redacted” – that’s blacked out to you and me. Curious, no?

Dutton’s view that the library is of “no architectural merit” has been challenged by the Twentieth Century Society, and Andy Foster, author of the highly regarded Pevsner Guide to Birmingham.

Foster writes, “Here is a masterpiece in front of our eyes, and yet every influential person in Birmingham wants to pull it down."

Friends of The Library campaigner Alan Clawley was also unimpressed with the contents of the confidential memo, saying: “This is the crudest condemnation of the Library I have yet seen and more economical with the truth than any of Mr Dutton's previous public statements.”

(Also see “We’re Cooking The City’s Heritage – Libraries Boss” see link here)

Is the Central Library a masterpiece?

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