Centenary Square makeover gets the go ahead despite some concerns

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a major makeover of Birmingham’s Centenary Square have been approved – despite concerns by come city councillors that the designs are dull and boring.

The £10m scheme was the result of a competition originally commissioned by the city council to give the public realm a new look ahead of the opening of 2 Arena Central – home of HSBC UK – and the extension of the Midland Metro to Broad Street.

Almost 200 entries were received before the council opted for designs submitted by Edinburgh-based Graeme Massie Architects.

The proposals include:

• Installation of new hard and soft-landscaping including low level planting and mature trees.
• Changing site levels and associated drainage.
• New landscaping and paving outside the Hall of Memory and Baskerville House.
• Provision of a large water feature, including a Reflecting Pool and fountains, and associated subterranean plant room.
• Erection of 43 lighting columns.
• New street furniture.
• Relocation of existing public art works.

“We believe that this Design Statement demonstrates that there is a practical, deliverable and elegant architectural response to the complex issues facing this project and that the reinvention of Centenary Square as a dynamic, inspirational city space is a viable goal,” said the architects.

However, when the scheme went before the city’s planning committee several councillors expressed concern regarding the design which they said was cluttered, particularly the distance between the lighting columns which might restrict access when setting up events such as the Big Wheel and ice rink associated with the Christmas Market.

There were also concerns that the fountain may turn out to be another white elephant much in the vein of the Floozie in the Jacuzzi that operated in Victoria Square until it became too expensive to maintain and was filled in with flowers.

Councillors also voiced their concerns over plans to relocate the Victoria Cross monument stones and the removal of a London Plane tree, although 37 new trees will be planted elsewhere around the square.

Officers said the designs had been arranged so that big events could still be staged in the square without any disruption. They also said that the paving outride the Hall of Memory was necessary because of a lowering of levels, while the VC monument stones would be retained.

With the new arrangements in place the scheme has now been approved.

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