Whether it’s a deeply unflattering royal statue, a road through an ancient British landmark or super spenny new infrastructure, there’s almost always some kind of controversy around something being built here in the UK.
The latest structure to cause a stir is a proposed 42-storey tower in Birmingham. Nothing to take too much issue with so far? Well, the bit that’s got locals riled up is the plan to build the enormous building right on top of a Grade-II listed historic hospital.
The 19th century hospital is known as Islington Villa and can't be legally demolished. So, obviously, the only option is to stack 42 storeys above it. According to a planning application, the tower will contain 300 flats and be supported by a giant structure raised above the former hospital, which will keep its historical features. The new build will also feature a viewing platform called Glassworks.
Local conservation group, Historic Buildings and Place (HBP) has called the idea ‘outrageous’. In a statement to Yahoo News, it said: ‘There is generally no issue with the development of tall buildings in Birmingham per se, however, the tower entirely changes the way the listed building is experienced and its history is inferred.
‘The tower and columns intrude on the sense of space around the building, and completely overwhelms and diminishes its presence within the streetscape. The city council must not establish a precedent for the construction of rafted/cantilevered buildings over listed buildings.’
Damning stuff. Some users on X also bashed the plans, calling them ‘hideous’ and an ‘abomination’, while others weren't so fussed. One wrote: ‘An utterly mediocre building that is lucky that it is being preserved. I am very glad to see the new thing coming up. You can't preserve cities in amber.’
No plans have been approved yet, so nothing is set in stone. A decision is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
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