COVENTRY’S council leaders should be “championing” the internationally important post-war city centre rather than “bowing to commercial pressure”, say campaigners – as it faced more questions from us about its conservation officer’s controversial departure.
The comments from the local heritage community group The Coventry Society follow our front page last week about a ‘war of words’ after new listings for city centre buildings and conservation officer Chris Patrick no longer being in his job.
We revealed negotiations were taking place over a ‘compromise agreement’ for him.
We understand from our sources he was effectively forced out of his long-serving post as a politically neutral council officer whose role was to advise councillors on protecting Coventry’s heritage.
He had raised formal objections in recent months to developers’ attempting to secure planning permission from councillors, including for two student tower blocks next to listed medieval buildings including Whitefriars.
We also reported how councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, described officers at national watchdog Historic England as Tarquins in tweed and Rupert trousers and out-of-touch with the real world – after it had moved to list eight more features of the post-war Precinct.
Coun O’Boyle has vehemently argued the listings could scupper vital multi-million-pound regeneration plans for the Upper Precinct, part of the then city architect Sir Donald Gibson’s internationally significant post-war city centre.
We asked the council if anyone was acting as conservation officer since Mr Patrick’s departure last month, and whether he would be replaced.
A council spokesman said: “No decisions have been taken about the vacant post.”
He added: “We will absorb the work within our existing resources until a decision is taken about filling the vacancy.”
The Observer understands there is only one remaining similar heritage role at the council following cuts – that of ‘historic and environmental records officer’, a lower grade job.
Prospective Upper Precinct developers the Shearer group wants to remove ‘canopies’ overhanging shop fronts which keep passers-by sheltered, and move the shops forward, as well as demolishing the 1980s green escalator.
The buildings listed for their “national importance” by the government – on Historic England’s recommendation – include the ex-BHS store, the Marks & Spencer building, former Woolworth store and Central Library (formerly the Locarno nightclub).
A statement from Keith Draper of the Coventry Society reads: “Instead of bowing to commercial pressure and interests Coventry should be championing one of the most remarkable town planning achievements in modern times.
“There’s a heritage debate we need to have after the council’s attack on Historic England.
“The value of our city centre post-war buildings doesn’t appear to be in doubt. Yet commercial developers appear to be allowed the upper hand when decisions are taken in council.
The council’s own Conservation and Heritage Assets Policy (HE2) states: the purpose of the policy is “to help sustain the historic character, sense of place, environmental quality and local distinctiveness of Coventry”.
Referring to the Precinct, it continues: ‘..to reinforce significant elements of Coventry’s ground-breaking post-war reconstruction including its plan, built form, public art works and public spaces.’
“Fortunately the City Centre Area Action Plan explains the current state of play well: ‘Much of the Gibson Master-plan can still be seen today, despite some unfortunate later additions which have spoilt its clarity.”
“Note ‘unfortunate later additions’. It begs the question, should we go on spoiling the clarity?’
“Significant elements of the Gibson Plan already removed include the link bridges that formed a continuous upper level walkway; a major water feature and gardens with important artwork; street furniture like balcony lighting and balustrades; golden Hornton stone and green Westmoreland slate cladding.
“Now Shearer’s plan is to extend the shop fronts forward destroying the canopy cover where shoppers currently shelter from the elements.
“The removal of more canopies at the precinct axis to extensively remodel and destroy the balance and integrity of historic shop fronts.
“On the other hand the widely unpopular escalator is clearly an intrusion and needs to be removed but a better solution to the provision of access to the balconies has yet to be resolved.
“A plaque in the Upper Precinct states the obvious: He (Sir Donald Gibson) was ahead of his time.
“What he did astonished the world. Coventry desperately needed his inspiration. Gibson was regarded as a pioneer modern architect and his work made him one of the most influential architects of his generation.
“We should be restoring its features as part of the Heritage Action Zone project granted to us. Funding was promised that would help secure our heritage assets as we move toward City of Culture 2021.”
