Plans to demolish Birmingham’s Central Library and redevelop Paradise Circus have moved a step closer after the Government announced it would not block demolition of the library.
Heritage Minister John Penrose agreed to grant a Certificate of Immunity from listing the building, allowing the city council and development partners Argent a five-year breathing space to push forward with transforming the prominent eight acre site.
Mr Penrose’s decision would appear to spell the end for the library, designed in brutalist style by Birmingham architect John Madin, which has been the subject of controversy for more than 30 years.
Despite being likened by Prince Charles to a carbuncle and an incinerator more suitable for burning books, the Friends of the Central Library group fought a hard battle to have the building listed, arguing that redevelopment of Paradise Circus could still go ahead even if Mr Madin’s structure remained.
But Mr Penrose refused an appeal by the friends group and upheld a decision by former Labour Culture Minister Margaret Hodge that the library, although an interesting example of the architecture of its time, was not worth preserving.
Speaking from his retirement home near Southampton, Mr Madin said it would be a “big mistake” to demolish the library.
He added: “I am extremely disappointed and saddened. The council is intent on building a new library at a cost of £187 million when they already have a perfectly good library fit for the 21st century.
“They say that my library requires costly refurbishment, but they have allowed it to deteriorate through a shocking lack of maintenance.”
The Central Library is likely to be demolished soon after the new Library of Birmingham opens in Centenary Square in 2013, although a start on redeveloping Paradise Circus is unlikely to happen until the economy recovers sufficiently to make the project appealing to investors.
News of the library’s fate was announced by city council leader Mike Whitby at the MIPIM international property fair in Cannes.
Brandishing the immunity certificate, he claimed that Paradise Circus would be “one of the most significant city centre regeneration schemes in Europe”.
Plans to flatten the library, Paradise Forum, the Conservatoire, Adrian Boult Hall, Copthorne Hotel and other buildings would open up pedestrian links making it easier for shoppers and tourists to walk from the Bullring and New Street to Broad Street, the ICC and NEC, Coun Whitby added.
As many as 10,000 jobs are expected to be created from a mixed-use scheme being worked up by Argent following a consultation period. The company has appointed award-winning architect Glenn Howells to draw up designs.
Initial ideas floated by Mr Howells envisage a mainly office-based development with a hotel and some housing around squares and public open spaces.