Lyceum Liverpool-What is its Future?

This is one of Liverpools Architectural Gems, but it is now in  very sad state.

It must be at its worst point of its great history

Built by Thomas Harrison who built Chester Castle most people would not be aware of his place in history.

Thomas Harrison was the architect who advised Lord Elgin that he should build a classical pile and fill it with historical artifacts, and off he went to strip the Elgin Marbles from their rightful home in Greece, who as a country have never forgiven us.

Such was Liverpools prominence that the best architects were flocking here for work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lyceum,_Liverpool

Private Eye took an interest recently and if you click on the picture you can read what 'Piloti' in NOOKS AND CORNERS said about our Grand Old Lady.
Just who is keeping Private Eyes so informed?

At one time it had a giant Burger In A Bun as decoration.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/lyceum-bold-street-whopper-job-well.html
We soon had that removed.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/lyceum-bold-street-liverpool-how-can.html
Theres Culcha for Yeh La!

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/now-lyceum-of-bold-street-is-to-gets.html

http://propertylink.estatesgazette.com/property-details/5741669-lyceum-building-bold-street-liverpool-l1-4nw
The Post Office have been responsible for its upkeep, as they had a lease on the property, even though they had moved out years ago. (No wonder they are in financial trouble)
Now its up for sale at £4.25 million What is its future?

The Gregson, Garmoyle Road L15-Worth The Effort To Have It Listed.

It seems after we had it listed under threat of demolition there have been some community ideas and its good to see one coming to fruition. Today's Liverpool Echo sees a good news article from Peter Elson.


We wish them all the best for the future.
Ex Auctioneer and advisor to Liverpool Museums, Dr Eldon Worrell (who is the rat now trying to flog the Ince Blundell marbles) http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Historic-house-in-danger-of-losing-its-marbles/25329 (or should we say advising the Nuns), asked Wayne in his capacity as an art dealer to value the tiles that line the walls and when he was notified of its impending demolition by Florence Gersten he made an application to spotlist it, and English Heritage said that the interior was of such National significance that it was Grade II spotlisted.


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/06/15/acclaimed-liverpool-gregson-institute-to-hold-fund-raising-sunday-markets-100252-31187833/

Peter Elson writes
After years of dereliction, the Gregson Memorial Institute, on Garmoyle Road, Wavertree, with its acclaimed tiled interiors, will hold its first indoor market on Sunday June 24.
It has taken two years for Catherine Odita to restore the rotting Gregson to a usable state and she has worked with her cousin, Natasha Odita, to set up the indoor market.
Already 35 stalls are booked with more likely to be added, selling second-hand goods and handicrafts, from midday to 5pm. Future markets will be on the last Sunday of each month.
The institute was built in 1897 by Isabella Gregson in honour of her family as an art gallery, museum and lecture theatre.
Under threat of demolition in 1994, Liverpool City Council passed the Gregson to a new charitable trust set up by local people for £5.
It was used for activities such as Boy Scout groups, children’s drama school and a polling station. As its condition worsened the trustees put it on sale for £200,000, with demolition most likely.
Heritage campaigner Wayne Colquhoun had it English Heritage Grade 2 listed in 2008 because of its outstanding tiled interior, the day before a planning meeting sealed its fate.
Natasha, who runs Camp Cupcakes, on Smithdown Road, said: “The Gregson Institute was once a pivotal place in Wavertree community life.

“Catherine’s spent a lot of hard work, money and time renovating it, replacing over 100 panes of glass in skylights and sorting out cracks all over the building.
Chat, Make Friends & Play Bingo at Mecca “I thought it would be good to get the community back in and we’ve already got a cafe. We’ve done as much as we can afford, so everything from the indoor markets will be reinvested to keep the renovation going.”
Art dealer Wayne Colquhoun said: “The Sunday indoor markets are an amazing idea.
“This is what I hoped would happen when I had the Gregson listed as the building needs to live and breathe for the community.
“The interior is a surprising gem, with tiled peacock friezes probably made by the famous Minton factory, like the tiles in St George’s Hall.”

All Saints Childwall-Gets the Private Eye treatment.

Private Eye the national satirical magazine take an interest in Liverpool again, there is no shortage of work to do. This time it is the mess surrounding All Saints Childwall. 'Piloti' has ago at the Liverpool Church (gravesmashers anonymous) who want to do more damage to bodies of people who probably paid to be buried there.                        Meanwhile reknowned turncoat Rex Makin seems to be critical of Private Eyes 'Pilot' he says in his column this week;

THE late Sir Richard Foster, the first director of Museums, Liverpool, did a wonderful job and enlarged the museum area by taking in the old Polytechnic building in Byrom Street.
The new additional museum at the Pier Head was the subject of a savage attack recently in a leading satirical magazine. Some of its criticisms were felt by others, particularly over the direction, but figures speak louder than words and the museum has enjoyed the same popularity as its predecessor, turning in record numbers to become one of the most popular tourist attractions. However the numbers should not avoid legitimate criticism, of which there is some, but not expressed in the original vicious way it was in the satirical magazine. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/views/liverpool-columnists/rex-makin/2012/01/20/rex-makin-should-city-housing-association-be-sending-pupils-to-eton-100252-30160669/
How two faced can one be, he, has been one of the biggest critics of the new museum and of the current Director Dr David "Fuzzy Felt" Fleming making stinging attacks. Now he appears to swop sides....again.
Who pays the piper plays the tune, unfortunatly. You have to laugh at people like this.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/superlambanana-land.html
Rex Makin was Trevor Jones solicitor. Private Eye have often taken an interest in Liverpool
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/undeclared-interest-of-jones-vote.html Read this article with an edition of the New Statesman and a little slice of history it really does say a lot.


http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/superlambanana-land.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/09/trevor-jone-steps-down-good-riddance.html

Ron Van Oers-How Can He Show His Face Again In Liverpool?

In November 2006 A Unesco Monitoring Mission came to Liverpool at our request. The mission of two, were Michelle Bonnette and Ron Van Oers.

I had a meeting with them for 15 minutes after a long conversation in Municipal Buildings with Florence Gersten who was wrongly excluded.
She asked me to hand them documents she had written from her vast knowledge.
Then directly after, a delegation of four from the Merseyside Civic Society led by Peter Brown, who later announced that he was a supporter of the Man Island black coffins went in.
Pat Moran was part of the delegation as was anther member who I would later find out was one of the people representing the MCS who would also be representing a owner of property that would be directly affected by the Mann Island and museum proposals.
If you recall the Liverpool Museums had to pay £750,000 for loss of (our) views to one developer that owned property at the Pier Head.
So the Itinerary stated that the City Council Limousine picked the mission up, and the council afforded them meetings in quick fire successions that were presentations and led them around like poodles.
There was a lot riding on this mission but Ron & Co let us down badly.
They said that the Mann Island proposals would not affect the Overall Universal Value of the World Heritage Site………….How wrong can they be.
We were hoping that Unesco, as a last resort would advise the council against its plans that were funded by the NWDA and sponsored by Liverpool Vision, (Joe Anderson was and is a member) who employed the deplorable October Communications, now Aurora Media to come up with a publicity drive.
Jon Egan used all his skills to slime as many articles into the paper to Larry Neild, the then City Editor who now works for Egan.
Larry Neild won an award from Downtown Liverpool In Business, and guess who does their media now.
October Communications lined up presentations with Icomos UK, the City Council then become a corporate member. Heard nothing from them this time.
Now they have asked if I can attend with Peter Brown, and Ian Wray who was a planner for NWDA….not a chance.
And to think, John Hinchliffe (world heritage waste of space) is organising it.

What a joke.
The UK Government then funded Unesco in 2007 to a tune of 16% of their budget for the year. Were they bought off?
One of the problems was that English Heritage were supporting the proposed schemes…………while Sir Neil Cossons the then Chairman of English Heritage was working for Liverpool Museums. You couldn’t make this up
So Ron you have been sent back to Liverpool on the 14th to 16th November to see what has been done at the Pier Head……….will you be big enough to say you made a mistake? Will you make a statement to say so?
How can the OUV not have been effected by building three black coffins a Terminal Ferry Carbuncle and a carbuncle Museum n the WHS.
Unesco, have a new Chairman let’s hope they are not as thick as the last one.
This time English Heritage have published an independent report into the damning effects Liverpool Waters will have on the World Heritage Site.

Lets hope that Ron Van Oers does not allow the council to blindfold him and lead him around like a shopkeepers dummy………like in 2006.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/10/31/christmas-d-day-for-liverpool-s-world-heritage-site-verdict-92534-29689116/

http://whc.unesco.org/en/178/?action=detail&order=1430


http://www.vsaa.lt/Oers_sleeping_rvo.doc
 

Save Us From SAVE Britains Heritage.

I attended the planning committee meeting of the 19th April and on the agenda was the demolition of phase one and two of the Welsh Streets.


http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/01/9-madryn-street-ringos-house-why-knock.html
I previously wrote, and there is a real reason for keeping the heart of New Heartlands, but.........
The hotly contested Welsh Streets, but by who.

I have never before seen a situation where people who live in an area are supporters, declaring they want their houses knocked down..............and it helped change my mind, enough is enough.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/01/9-madryn-street-ringos-house-why-knock.html
Merseytravel once owned Ringos House.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/05/liverpools-joe-anderson-we-will-scrap.html Joe Anderson promised to save the demolitions....but
Now it transpires that SAVE Britain’s Heritage are mischievously trying to buy, off anyone, who will sell, any of the remaining properties in the Welsh Streets.
This will cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees in a futile and silly plan to disrupt the process, while the area is 95% empty, already cleansed, yes we know it was all wrong, but who are we to argue with people who want decent housing.
http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/
The idea is to have all the houses around them knocked down and force the council to CPO the houses that they may have bought.
http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news/campaign.php?id=192
What is the point?
I grew up in a similar house and some of the supporters of the demolition mirrored exactly how it felt for me till we were re-housed in the 60's from what was labelled a slum.

Now, I don’t like to give in on a fight but SAVE would be better placed buggering off back to London than wasting Liverpool ratepayer’s money on a lost cause to further their own public image of being heritage fighters.

Ringos house may have been worth fighting for I thought, but not any, more.
They at SAVE cannot buy Ringos house in Madryn Street because the city council own it. There was a point but it has now gone too far. It seems some people are so empowered to have their names in the paper, that it drives them on when they should stop and common sense come into play.

If Nina Edge and others wish to fight that's up to them it seems her house is a big house for the area, but why should others not have the right to move.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/01/ringos-house-9-madryn-street-david.html
They at SAVE may have done some good heritage battles and they pride themselves on being vociferous, but on this occasion they have misplaced ideals that need to be stopped.

Peter Brown of the Merseyside Civic Society was in attendance at the planning committee and the MCS have been supportive of Nina Edge, who it was claimed by supporters of the demolition, did not fully live in Kelvin Grove. They the MCS have also assisted the misguided attempts of Elizabeth Pascoe http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/vote-for-elizebeth-pascoe-god-elp-hurst.html who cost herself a fortune to save her house. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/09/whatever-happened-to-merseyside-civic.html There is one thing being classed as heroic as a way to make friends and influence people but at what point do you stop being tagged along by people from London who put on the occasional wine and cheese evening here in Liverpool and then go home.
I feel sorry for anyone losing their house. Joe Anderson said he would save the demolitions but it now seems he wont

Jonathan Brown seems to be able to motivate Peter Brown, oh, and Steve Parry of Neptune Developments, I couldn’t.
When he should have been fighting against world heritage blight he was supporting its developments. I will never be able to respect him again.

Where does the point come when all those around you have decided to sell and the place is an area full of rats and blight? It seems now.

So the idea of SAVE, if they can, as their charitable status is being checked to see if they can do it, is to buy up a few houses and let everything be knocked down around them. Hey clever!

While they go home to their middle class London Mews the people they are claiming to help are living in squalor. There is a chance that the development may stall but it is too far gone now I fear.


This is a misguided campaign by the eccentrics at SAVE and they should think carefully before they proceed in cajoling vulnerable sections of society. There is one thing putting on a glossy exhibition and producing a glossy booklet costing £14 about Liverpool’s lack of care with its heritage and genuinely helping people with their plight. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/save-exhibition.html

SAVE claims to have saved the Lyceum in Bold Street many decades ago, it was Florence Gersten http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/florence-gersten-life-spent-helping.html who did all the work. This is now under threat with blight about to happen all around it.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/now-lyceum-of-bold-street-is-to-gets.html
Far too close to Peter De Figeurido http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/04/who-polices-heritage-police.html they at SAVE are now art risk of becoming labelled heritage nutters, in fact there are a few there already.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/heritage-fruitcakes-from-bonkers-ville.html read some of the coments from SAVE members here http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/heritage-fruitcakes-from-bonkers-ville_19.html
or here,
 http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/heritage-fruitcakes-from-bonkers-ville_20.html
or eve here and there. Fruitcakes anonymous. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/heritage-fruitcakes-from-bonkers-ville_22.html

I do not take stating my opinion lightly in this instance despite some of their senior members being completely bonkers (see above links) and in my opinion verging on the edge of heritage madness, they have done some good work, but here they are looking like middle class twits playing heritage games that affect far too many people’s lives. Who should not be used in the arsenal of SAVE’s Heritage publicity machine.

SAVE Us from SAVE.

Liverpools "Dodgy Planners" and its Planning Committee Poodles, Pass Yet Another Carbuncle in the WHS.

You have to despair the corrupted planning system of not consulting the public, with the full approval of Joe Anderson, the council leader, this continues.
Yesterday plans were passed, off the cuff by the planning committee lapdogs to pass plans for a 34 storey skyscraper that the Liverpool City Council told Unesco would not be built.
That was one of the conditions for wriggling off the hook over the World Heritage planning blight.
I did not know about the meeting despite complaining to the council leader about the lack of consultation.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/12/plot-3a-princes-dock-1-william-jessop.html


Joe Anderson continues to do all he can to assist Peel Holdings.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/12/peel-holdings-being-helped-by-liverpool.html

Residents from the ugly City Lofts were even complaining about these plans.

The Princes Dock development is just outside of the World Heritage zone, but campaigner Florence Gersten, of Save Our City, slammed the "unstoppable increase" in the number of flats in the centre despite many being vacant.
Ms Gersten said: "I know you are going to renew this again.
"We are not objecting to the principle of development of this vacant land or other areas in the central docks area, but we do have concerns about this.
"We share the doubts of Princes Dock residents regarding this proposal for yet more flats.
"This seems to be a pointless but unstoppable increase in flats around the city centre.
"I do realise some people like very tall buildings but I’m not among them.
"I’m sure this fashion will eventually be regretted.
"The views of the Three Graces have been totally destroyed by the building of three large structures on the south side of Mann Island where there’s never been anything but small buildings."
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/02/16/princes-dock-skyscraper-approved-but-may-never-be-built-92534-28176963/2/
Peel were not available for comment last night the local papers said.
West Tower, which recently went into administration, in Brook Street is currently Liverpool’s tallest building at 40-storeys high.


http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1922

Decision - 33COM 7B.130 - Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom) (C 1150)


The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 32 COM 7B.115, adopted at its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008),
3. Notes the detailed information provided by State Party and particularly:

a) The development of the new Supplementary Planning Document addresses the management issues raised by the World Heritage Committee in paragraphs 3b and 4b of Decision 31 COM 7B.121 and paragraph 3b and 3c of Decision 32 COM 7B.115,
b) The final version of the Supplementary Planning Document is expected to be formally adopted by Liverpool City Council in June 2009,
c) The revised Evidential Report will be provided to the World Heritage Centre when available,
d) Progress on the improvement of the protection of World Heritage properties in England through changes to the planning system,
e) Preparation of an expanded Statement of Outstanding Universal Value,
f) The initiatives taken by the Liverpool City Council and other partners during 2008, particularly regarding the national statutory lists;
4. Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed on progress on the issues above.

Unesco were not informed of this development, in fact to the contrary, they were denied an imput.

"All Saints Church does not need this"-Florence Gersten, Save Our City Campaign

All Saints Church does not need this

Letters to the Editor
Nov 24 2010

Liverpool Daily Post
 THE Save Our City Campaign wishes to express its total agreement with the people who have recently written to the local press expressing their strong objections to the proposals for Childwall Parish Church of All Saints.
This lovely church includes a medieval section which is older than any other in the Merseyside boroughs. In a sense, it is considerably older. There was a church on the site before the Norman Conquest.

All Saints has, as other correspondents have mentioned, been altered many times, the last major extension being in 1906. However, the whole complex is remarkable for its unity.
Every component, no matter its date, is built of the local red sandstone and designed in harmony with the oldest part of the church. No doubt this is one of the reasons why it is listed Grade I: the highest category of listed buildings. It is the key component in a unique corner of Liverpool.
The proposed circular building is completely out of keeping with the church and its surroundings. It will also destroy part of the graveyard: one of the very few intact churchyards in Liverpool, and, of course, the oldest.
The desire for toilet facilities inside the church is perfectly understandable, but this could certainly be achieved without any significant damage to that building. It does not need a major extension. A major purpose of the proposed extension is as accommodation for meetings. As a recent letter-writer pointed out, these can easily be held in the church hall.

We hope that the application for this extension will be withdrawn, without the necessity of a public inquiry.


Florence E Gersten, The Save Our City Campaign


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/letters-to-editor/2010/11/24/all-saints-church-does-not-need-this-92534-27702741/

Liverpool Waters-Public Inquiry Is Called For.

In the light of Joe Andersons recent outburst supporting Peel Holdings, Liverpool Waters. We feel it is time to call for a Call-in and a public inquiry.
Joe Anderson cannot, in my opinion be trusted with Liverpools Historic fabric. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/11/joe-anderson-spiving-for-peel-holdings.html
He was also part of the Cabal that has done some damage being part of Liverpool Vision, The Culture Company etc, etc.  http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/11/03/liverpool-council-leader-joe-anderson-hits-out-at-english-heritage-for-blocking-city-development-92534-27590506/


 We invite anyone who has a concern to join us in asking for a public inquiry, write to the address below.
I am informed that Florence Gersten of Save Our City will do so today. 
Caity Marsh and Peter Marsden of the DCMS can also be contacted as they are to report to UNESCO.
The World Heritage Steering group have decided at a secret meeting that they need the help of the Merseyside Civic Society to collaborate on this scheme, to make it easier for them to pass it. I understand despite refusing before when requested Peel may now give a presentation to the MCS where they will discuss the matter. (The whole theree of them). The World Heritage Steering group led by John "World Heritage waste of space" Hinchliffe has now decided they need them for the same Mann Island trick. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/merseyside-civic-society-heritage.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/10/world-heritage-steering-group-what.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/10/liverpool-world-heritage-steering-group.html


“Called-in” Applications

The discretionary power to call in an application before it is formally determined by the Local Planning Authority is given by Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The criteria used at present were set out in a 1999 Commons answer in which it was stated that the Government would only intervene in council’s jurisdiction if the planning issues were of more than local importance.

The criteria given at the time were that one of the following would have to be in evidence.
· Conflict with national policies over important matters.
· Significant affects beyond the locality.
· Substantial regional or national controversy.
· Major architectural and urban design issues.
· Involvement with the interests of national security or of foreign governments.
The normal procedure is put the case in writing to the Planning Director at the Government Office for the region. Speed is of the essence since the “call-in” must be before the local planning authority determines the application.



Liverpool Preservation Trust


 11.11.10
The Rt Hon Eric Pickles
The Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Department for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU



Peel Holdings have submitted plans to Liverpool City Council for a huge development called Liverpool Waters.
Liverpool as some other parts of the country such as the Tower of London, Edinburgh and Bath, has been under huge pressure of recent dates and I am afraid to say a binge build mentality has taken over here in my home city.
I have kept the Caity Marsh and Peter Marsden of the DCMS informed.
UNESCO is fully aware of this proposed development, which is in the Liverpool Mercantile and Maritime City World Heritage Group.
In my opinion the current council leader Mr Joe Anderson does not want any further involvement from English Heritage who are advising that the scale and massing of the development that can harm the World Heritage Site.
He has stated this publicly.
In opposition he was a member of Liverpool Vision and several agencies, who in my opinion have made catastrophic mistakes that we called for public inquiries on.
Let me please explain the way it has worked in the past.
We write to the Secretary of State or in fact the Prime Minister, they then put it in the hands of the Regional Development Agency whose Chairman and members are very likely to be on the board of the developers, be they, public or private bodies and the request for public consultation is then suppressed by the GONW.
This approach has put Liverpool under a microscope with UNESCO.
This development meets all the criteria for A Public Inquiry perhaps you may be so kind as to take this into consideration and call in this development.

Wayne Colquhoun

Chairman
LPT

A Letter from Florence Gersten.

Was published in the Daily Ghost at the end of last week. As ever Florence seems to get it right.

Letters to the editor: October 27

Oct 27 2010
Liverpool Daily Post


"Wedge’ buildings disfigure waterfront

I RECENTLY read a letter to the local press, expressing horror at the appearance of two huge, dark, wedge-shaped buildings nearing completion on the south side of Mann Island.
The writer asked how such a development could have been permitted.
Well, I can answer that.
At the Planning Committee meeting which considered this development, four individual objectors spoke very strongly against it.
We all said much the same things: that these structures were totally unsuitable to their surroundings in every way: size, style and materials, and that they would utterly destroy some of the finest views in Liverpool.
Some of the committee members were concerned enough for a vote to be taken. Unfortunately, the result was 50/50.
The Chair of the Planning Committee then used her casting vote. She said: “This is a young architect and I think young architects should be given a chance”, before approving the development. This was one of her last decisions before retiring from local government, so the black wedges may be called her legacy to Liverpool. I understand at the time she held the position of English Heritage Environment Champion.
Until recently, if one stood in Derby Square and looked down James Street, there was a view right across the river to Birkenhead and beyond.
Now the view down James Street is cut off by a high black wall. The formerly spectacular view of the Mann Island buildings, seen through the stone arch at Wapping Dock, was reproduced on postcards and in books of Liverpool scenes.
Now the view through this arch is filled and surrounded by solid black, above which only the upper part of the buildings are visible.
These are undoubtedly the worst of the many large structures which now disfigure our beautiful waterfront.
However, they may yet be outdone by views of the north docks area if the Peel proposals go ahead.

Florence E Gersten, Wavertree

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/letters-to-editor/2010/10/27/letters-to-the-editor-october-27-92534-27549045/


I am not so kind to the self serving abomination that was the planning committee Chairwoman at the time Doreen Jones. I watched as she played politics with our historic skyline. She should be remembered for what she did.
Her Legacy, The Dame of Disaster Lady Doreen Jones. While she was a heritage supremo. A joke. See what Mike Storey's mate little Larry Neild had to say.

Council appoints Rot Czar


Jun 7 2001

by Larry Neild, Liverpool Echo

VETERAN councillor Lady Doreen Jones was today named as Liverpool's Stop the Rot supremo.
The appointment is civic recognition of the ECHO's campaign to renovate the city's eyesore historic buildings.
Cllr Lady Jones said she was looking forward to working with the ECHO on tackling the problems of unsightly buildings.
Council leader Mike Storey said: "Lady Doreen has stepped down from the council's executive board and now she has time to become involved in this very major issue.
"I am sure that with a politician of her calibre in charge, we will see real results."
Lady Doreen's brief will also include improving the heritage potential of the city.
The council is on the verge of appointing a full-time officer to concentrate on eyesores and caring for the heritage of the city.
Lady Doreen has already won success for one of her ideas -- floodlighting of public buildings. As chairwoman of the now disbanded civic halls committee she helped pave the way for major projects at the town hall and St George's Hall.
She said: "I am delighted to have this new role for the council. I want to ensure that we have a city that is welcoming, clean and pleasant for people.
"We have some of the finest architecture in the country, but things can be spoiled by fly-posting and derelict buildings.
"I will be working closely with Mike Storey and the ECHO on this strategy.

"The problem we have is that the state of the city comes under the umbrella of different directorates. With this role I can involve every directorate as appropriate.

"I am looking forward to early action on the things that need to be done."


And then she turned the World Heritage Site into an eyesore right in front of Little Larry, who was there making notes at the fateful planning committee that sealed the fate of the Pier Head.

Incidentally Larry then went to work for October Communications who were the PR company selling the WHS disaster to the public. Jon Egan &Co, now Aurora are still feeding the local press, plumping them up like fat little chickens with free lunches, only now its little Larry doing it with them.

Mike Storey-Like A Bad Penny, He Always Turns Up.

Yes the old Dame is back, this time on the planning committee. He must have put himself there as a last Spiv-Dem act of defiance when they were booted out at the last elections.  It should be renamed the planting committee.
A SLEEPER FOR PEEL HOLDINGS, MAYBE? It seems possible the way this slippery old dame behaves.
He was mentored by Clever Trevor Jones, this is what he said when the eel retired to the Dukes estate in Chester. Cllr Storey said:
"Trevor is one of the outstanding politicians in the Liverpool political scene.

"He is a towering figure who has played a prominent part in the city's politics over several decades.
"Trevor laid the foundations for the huge strides made in Liverpool over the past 10 years."
He said Sir Trevor was instrumental in building bridges with Michael Heseltine when he was sent to Liverpool to help the city after the Toxteth riots.
"They became quite good friends, and that relationship helped to put in place a number of things that we now take for granted like the Albert Docks."
Cllr Storey was deputy leader under Sir Trevor's leadership.
"Every Sunday evening I would go to their house in Queen's Drive, we would natter away and when Doreen [Sir Trevor's wife] had gone to bed we would open the red wine.
"He's a consummate politician and also a consummate winner of elections.
"He is the forefather of modern political campaigning, he introduced the idea of monthly newsletters.
"He taught me everything I know about political campaigning.
"He was a hard nosed politician and a hard nose businessman, but he was also very caring.
"There is a huge number of examples of him helping people with humanity and kindness that people don't know about."
http://blogs.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/dalestreetblues/2009/09/tributes-to-sir-trevor-jones-t.html
Well not quite Mikey, but we can see where you learned all your slippery tricks cant we. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/09/city-has-been-run-by-spivs-and-gamblers.html

This week after his Spiv-Dem council declared no more bars on Lark Lane and Allerton Road here he is twisting it at the planting committee meeting after Florence Gersten made a defiant stand.  But committee member Cllr Mike Storey said:             “In an ideal world, we would like high streets to have grocers and bakers and delis, but life is not like that any more.

“This property has been empty for eight years and God forbid it’s empty for another three or four years because next we’ve got Save Our City quite rightly complaining it’s been left to rack and ruin.”
Planning officer John Collins, recommending approval, said: “We recognise the concerns of people, but the issue of licensing is not one before us here today.
“We are just here to consider the use as a cafe and wine bar, and if alcohol is to be taken then that’s an issue for another committee.
“It’s a difficult decision, I appreciate that, but given the history of the site and the latest assessment, we are recommending permission be granted.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/10/27/new-wine-bar-on-liverpool-s-lark-lane-approved-despite-bar-ban-92534-27549386/


The reality for Mike "Badpenny" Storey is unfortunately.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/09/mike-storey-destroyed-world-heritage.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/06/wayne-colquhoun-asks-will-alsop.html Ask Will Alsop what he thinks about Storeys involvment.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/05/mike-storey-he-is-guilty-of-liverpools.html
Or try this one or better still click the label at the bottom of this page to see how it all pans out, read the truth instead of the shit you used to get from Mike Storeys mate Larry Neild and co at the Daily Council in Oldham Hall Street.

This is the sod that did all the World Heritage planning blight, and in the context of a tedious campaign currently being run by the Daily Ghost to save our Cruise Liner "Cock Up" Terminal it must be remembered that it was he who nailed the coffin down, it was he who seeded the mess that the city now finds itself in. He was the Captain on Deck when it was signed and sealed. It was his watch that accepted the European grants and told us all we should thank him for it.
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/10/26/top-liverpool-names-back-daily-post-get-on-board-cruise-campaign-92534-27541800/

Just why did him and Bernie Turner fall out will we ever know, or is that buried by the local press too.

You know like a bad penny, no matter how hard you rub, you just cant get the scum off. 

Round Up All the Usual Suspects, To Turn A Blind Eye To World Heritage Disaster in Liverpool.

Last nights BBC programme where Jonathan Foyle explores northern Georgian and Victorian neo-classical civic buildings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tnw4p/Peoples_Palaces_The_Golden_Age_of_Civic_Architecture_NeoClassical/

I used to feel so proud whilst watching this sort of programme, even while we were in a economic mess. Now they just annoy me.
Round up all the usual suspects to have their say. The milksop Joseph Sharples, a bag of nerves who has the intelligence after updating Pevsners guide but does nothing with it. Or does he? I walked away from him last time I saw him on the Strand and he told me he admired the Cesar Pelli Carbuncle, One Park Worst!!!!!!!!!!!
Then they trundle off to the Bluecoat using the shot so the camera cannot see the carbuncle behind it.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/liverpool-novatel-tragic-addition-to.html
Interviewing Lawrence Westgaph, a heritage fighter, who says what he thinks, about slavery. He's also a fighter of other sorts having just escaped manacles himself.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/bluecoat-tradgedy.html

I find it hard to start off a programme about Civic pride in Grosvenor-pool but there you go.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/liverpool-one-they-have-stolen-our.html
This is the place they buried the first purpose built dock under a multi story car park. They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot.
Oh excuse me for being pedantic.

He then turned his attention to Thomas Harrisons Lyceum that Florence Gersten had the foresight to save from demolition that is now threatened with a carbuncle behind it. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/now-lyceum-of-bold-street-is-to-gets.html
At St Georges Hall, You can forgive Steve Binns because he cant see the mess that has been created of late.

They did not visit the Pier Head to see the mess there in the world heritage site.

This was a not very well updated version of the Gavin Stamp programmes some 5 or 6 years ago.
Good old BBC.

Liverpool's Press and the Culcha Of Capital.

After the infantile flurry of 2008. Liverpool celebrating being nominated European Capital of Culcha. Some said the only the culture in Liverpool was in a yoghurt in a fridge in the Iceland in Old Swan. I disagree we have loads of Culcha.....for spin and deceit. 2008 was the year that the Manchester Docks, which had remained intact, that predated the Albert Dock by 60 years was bulldozed and buried beneath a new museum which is destined to be the new Wacky Warehouse on sea. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/loyd-grossman-lectures-us-on-heritage.html

This was the year that the world heritage site was decimated by the white coffin museum and work started on the three black slugs on Mann Island. We won the Carbuncle Cup for a new Terminal Ferry Building. Some huge contracts were awarded without scrutiny by a local press, who were jumping up and down like Zebbedi on the Magic Gravy Train Roundabout, shouting how wonderful everything was………without scrutinizing. This was the year that the carbunclisation of some of our cherished landmarks took place while those at Trinity “Smoking” Mirrors idly stood by and watched. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/liverpool-novatel-tragic-addition-to.html

How can you have a cultured city that is run by Spivs Cheats and Liars? http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/09/trevor-jone-steps-down-good-riddance.html http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/search/label/Mike%20Storey  Today the informative and entertaining Seven Streets make the point we have been banging on about for years. http://www.sevenstreets.com/filter/no-cultural-policy-to-speak-of/  It backs it up with this.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a923227015~db=all~jumptype=rss

And now we have Uncle Joe Anderson running the show.
And today a Council Chief is suspended http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//tm_headline=liverpool-council-director-peter-cosgrove-suspended%26method=full%26objectid=26738862%26siteid=100252-name_page.html  for what everyone in Liverpool knew about.

Except the lazy bastards who are in hock to Liverpool’s PR companies at Trinity “Smoking” Mirrors who did nothing about it while their employees and friends and relations, moonlighted for glossy magazines, and wrote pathetic articles, such as where to get the best cocktail drink, in which new boutique hotel, and rubbish like that.
If Private Eye can keep an eye on the Culture free zone why cant the local press. See pic above. Now they write about a threat to the Lyceum http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/06/28/liverpool-architectural-gem-the-lyceum-is-up-for-sale-at-4-25m-guide-price-92534-26738907/ Which is a real threat. Built between 1800 and 1802 and designed by Thomas Harrison, the Lyceum housed the UK’s first subscription library. It had a newsroom and a coffee room and is reportedly where Liverpool gentlemen first heard news of Wellington’s victory over Napoleon at Waterloo.

The building narrowly escaped the wrecking ball in the 1970s, when Liverpool City Council gave the go-ahead for it to be demolished.
Developers claimed they needed the site for an extension to Central Station.
But in 1979, a few short months after Margaret Thatcher had swept to power, the then secretary of state for the environment, Michael Heseltine, announced the Government was going to buy it and fund its restoration.
Heritage campaigner Florence Gersten, who was instrumental in the campaign to save the Lyceum in 1979, is pessimistic about what could now happened to the building.

She said: “If it stays in commercial hands, I’m afraid for its future. I don’t think that’s the right use for it.
“It’s not a huge building. What are they going to do with it that’s going to compensate that sort of money?
“It’s a building that the council should have taken responsibility for. But they didn’t – they supported people’s wish to demolish it.”
She was quoted by Piloti in Private Eye see pic

Did they, the local press write about it being carbunclised? no, just how wonderful it was from some their developer mates perspective.  http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/now-lyceum-of-bold-street-is-to-gets.html  No they, the local press, are all on the same old magic roundabout swilling in the same bucket. To think while editor Mark Thomas has been in his last post what we have lost. Lets start with the world heritage site.

Welsh Presbyterian Chapel, Heathfield Road-Another One Bite The Dust.

Bethel Chapel will not be listed by English Heretics. It sits facing Penny Lane. Remember this is the city that incredibly knocked down the Cavern Club in Mathew Street, and then renamed itself Beatles City. English Heretics used the previous application to list as an assessment without visiting. The listing was supported by the c20 Society, The old Twentieth Century Society, thanks to the local North West Group, and Florence Gerstens SAVE OUR CITY campaign. 

A FOURTH attempt is being made to demolish one of the few remaining Welsh churches in Liverpool.

The Bethel Chapel, in Allerton, has been too big for its congregation for years – with space for 750, it is the largest remaining free church in the city.
But previous plans to create a smaller purpose-built place of worship on the same site have stalled on three occasions.
The last set of plans, including building 48 one and two-bedroom apartments, won planning permission but did not go ahead after a dispute with developers.
The Rev Dr David Ben Rees said the hard decision to demolish the main church, which dates back to 1926, had been taken because it could seat 750 people, but the congregation now only numbered 150. Demolishing the building would also avoid the need to spend between £60,000 and £70,000 repairing the church.
He said the church was still pondering what to do with the site once the church was demolished.
He said: “There will be a big gap for some time once the church is demolished. A lot of people have suggested flats for the elderly, but there is nothing certain at this moment in time. I will be very sorry to see it go. I have been preaching for 40 years in that church.”
He said attempts to get another institution to take over the church as a performance venue had proved fruitless.
If permission is granted to bulldoze the church, it will be pulled down in the summer.
The new chapel will cost around £500,000 and will see the congregation move away from the site temporarily for 18 months.

IF IT WAS ALL THAT SIMPLE http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3076478

Church sued for £600k

3 November, 2006
Property developers take a church in Wales to court after it pulls out of scheme
A church in Wales is involved in an unholy row with two property developers after being accused of reneging on a building scheme.
Property developers Samuel Beilin and William Kearns say they have lost more than £600,000 after the Welsh church encouraged them to spend money on a scheme to develop the Bethel Chapel.
It is alleged that after spending four years funding planning permissions and development schemes, encouraged by the Properties Board of the Calvanistic Methodist Church of Wales, they received a letter pulling out of the scheme.
The church, also known as the Presbyterian Church of Wales, plans to sell the site to another developer and is likely to win planning permission after the work put in by the developers.
Mr Beilin, Mr Kearns, and TRB Estates (Liverpool) say they have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on the scheme, and that the church pulled out of the project knowing it was likely the planning application would be granted.
Now the three are suing for “proprietary estoppel”, and are claiming damages for the loss of opportunity to develop the chapel, loss of profit, and for the expenses they have incurred.
They value their claim at more than £600,000, and are also suing Dr Benjamin Rees, of Bethel Chapel in Heathfield Road, Liverpool.
They had originally entered into arrangements with the church in April 2002, when the church asked them to develop the site. As a result they say they expected to be the developers of the scheme, and that the church encouraged them in this expectation.
Read more: http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3076478#ixzz0ntrc72K4

Heritage Fruitcakes-From Bonkers Ville.

I have met some of the most highly intelligent people that I respect and admire, in Heritage circles, I have trodden, if there is such a thing. People locally, like Florence Gersten and colleagues of mine at the LPT whose determination to see out a cause should be rewarded, but are not, as they put their time in for free. Instead they stand up to be counted while others do nothing. People with a richness of character to see through the press pap and don’t need to be part of a backslappers anonymous are the people who I admire. People who wont be swayed. Then there are those who are a Nemesis of themselves who have nothing better to do and take any argument to a new level……….downwards into a intellectual twaffle that just allows the developers and the councils, wherever they be, to do exactly what they want, while the twaffs are holding another wine and cheese evening, twaffling on, making friends with which to future twaffle, because they have a lonely existence……yes you know who you are. Its like they need acceptance and the heritage brigade are a well mannered lot and dont often argue. It does not mean that these exhibitions to a city, and involvement highlighting problems are not welcome, but with any battle it is the locals know the lay of the land. But, others see those arguments as publicity and a need to be accepted by people, so they join groups and pay subscriptions and turn up at places and….twaffle. These people are no use to us at the LPT. Colleagues of mine have resigned or want nothing to do with do-gooders who do nothing, yes you know who you are from groups like the Merseyside Civic Society. Those that run so called heritage forums talk about cigarette stumps outside the Port of Liverpool Buildings being unsightly and don’t mention world heritage blight 10 yards away…blind to facts…..those that should know better.


At a Heritage wine and cheese evening I met someone called Evelyn Cook “I am Byword” she said “In BD”. Oh all right if you like I thought. She then rattled on as to what she wasn’t happy about slagged off Liverpool’s blight, all those at SAVE http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/save-exhibition.html  who did the exhibition and how she does this and that and she runs the Nemesis Republic blog which I added to ours. But no more, After 450 e-mails of which 430 are just plain bonkers-Ville I have removed any involvement from this silly woman. But we just can’t take any more of this twaffle. It seems anyone these days can set up a pseudonym and then rattle off antagonistic comments http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=437&storycode=3161475  which defeats their own argument. Some people want to be heritage groupies and get annoyed when they don’t get accepted, defending those that do the damage http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/loyd-grossman-lectures-us-on-heritage.html  Those, well her, at the Nemesis Banana republic should be ashamed of themselves for having nothing else to do than try to undermine work done by us. We offer no explanations to who we are the words LIVERPOOL PRESERVATION TRUST mean one thing …………..You can trust us. We will tell the truth and wont be swayed by anyone, and the type of friends and colleagues who twaffle about nothing while creeping into the next wine and cheese evening to make themselves feel important can stuff off.
I did radio 4 interviews with Nick Ravenscroft about Liverpool’s World Heritage Site or Blight, as we shall now call it. All the bods were rolled out Jim Gill from Liverpool Vision http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/search/label/Liverpool%20Vision  and they all tried to bemoan us at LPT as opposition to their hairbrained schemes.
It was 20 minutes later that I received e-mail from the then President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA, it said.

“Wayne I can see what they try to do and always remember even in a minority of one, the truth is still the truth”.
I wont forget his support but will never pander to liars who ignore world heritage s*ite so they can stay in with their mates. I know who my colleagues are, those who I can trust, because they trust themselves, do you?

New World Square at the Pier Head……Kyboshed.

Dead and buried in the water that’s the only way to describe it. This was a very bad scheme.
Described as part of Peel Holdings Liverpool Waters shame........what chance for them when this carbuncle next to the Liver Buildings cant get off the board.


I received a planning application on these plans on the 24th December…..Xmas Eve. Those who are a law unto themselves at the planning department had decided to knock this one under the table and bury it to oblivion during the worst weather conditions for decades. I put in an official complaint over this strategy, and after this official complaint was received everything changed, it seemed they have been found out.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/liverpools-pier-head-another-carbuncle.html   The credit crunch has come too late for the bulk world heritage site but its one carbuncle, less, which is better than a kick up the behind. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/01/27/landmark-liverpool-waterfront-development-in-jeopardy-after-developers-fail-to-get-finance-92534-25693570/
Councillor Nick Small now comes out of his closet and claims he is a campaigner against this…. what a despicable character, he has watched the world heritage site be destroyed and now he says the residents are against this. Stinky Ink Bartlett at the Liverpool Daily Ghost (dead man walking, will someone put it out of our misery writes Last night, campaigners against the scheme said they were pleased by the news the project was now facing an uphill struggle to get planning permission.
Cllr Nick Small, who represents the city’s central ward, said: “I don’t think the proposal stacks up in the current economic climate, and there is a question mark over whether it would get planning permission with the new World Heritage Site planning blueprint in place.
“Residents were unanimously opposed to this.
“I am pleased it has been withdrawn and I am confident if they re-submit they are going to have their work cut out to get planning permission.
“There will be a massive amount of opposition from residents and heritage campaigners.”

He forgets to mention there were only two objectors to the original plans myself and Florence Gersten. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=cries-of--sacrilege--as-first-five-star-hotel-is-approved%26method=full%26objectid=18254253%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

The developers now say the application is going to cost £100,000 surely the planners don’t charge this much. They said the company had been hoping to take advantage of a change in rules that could have seen it cost as little as £500 to resubmit the application.
But, due to a delay, it meant the company was facing the costs of essentially submitting a new application, which would cost more than £100,000 in fees.
Given the downturn in the property market, Mr Chowdri said the company had decided to “tweak” the scheme before submitting the plans.
He could not say when new plans would be submitted or when work would start.
This is all rubbish of course and I am awaiting the outcome of the official complaint from Colin “Cover Up” Hilton. Who is on £200,000 plus a year and has let the world heritage site be destroyed before his very eyes. He said the company had been hoping to take advantage of a change in rules that could have seen it cost as little as £500 to resubmit the application.
But, due to a delay, it meant the company was facing the costs of essentially submitting a new application, which would cost more than £100,000 in fees.
Given the downturn in the property market, Mr Chowdri said the company had decided to “tweak” the scheme before submitting the plans.
He could not say when new plans would be submitted or when work would start.


http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17159104%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=five-star-vision-of-city-s-top-notch-dockside-hotel-name_page.html

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=opening-to-all-a-bird-s-eye-city-view%26method=full%26objectid=18086130%26page=1%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17112292%26method=full%26siteid=50061-name_page.html

David Irving as Chairman of Liverpools Planning Committee is a Disgrace.

The Planners of Liverpool have three functionary duties it seems. Accept plans, process plans and Rubber Stamp plans.

It does not matter if the plans are for crap architecture that falls to bits in a couple of years as long as developer wants something the Liverpool planning department will get it through. There are more questions than answers.

Then the Riechmarshal Nigel Lee our Chief Planning Disaster manager http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/search/label/Nigel%20Lee  hands them over to the planning committee, made up of poodles without any architectural knowledge and its thumbs up without debate. Liverpool was a city with a world heritage site.......not any more.

I could not attend yesterdays planning meeting I did not know it was debating (sic) the proposed Travelodge on the Strand. I would have lost my temper, if I had of been there. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/travelodge-for-liverpools-world.html  Even Trinity "Smoking" Mirrors had a go at this one. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/views/our-view/2010/01/20/liverpool-s-world-famous-waterfront-needs-better-than-another-budget-hotel-100252-25637804/

I had a report put through my door from the intrepid Florence Gersten yesterday. It said I wanted to talk to you about this mornings planning meeting, particularly the new travelodge on the Strand. I was as near total loss of temper, publicly, as I have ever been.
Now this is serious. I had no idea that the plans were being debated.

Irving who asked Florence Gersten if she was representing the Liverpool Preservation Trust altered the Agenda. “No I am representing SOC Save Our City,” she said. The despicable little man knows exactly whom she represents, so why did he ask her this question.
He barracked her breaking into the speech asking her to stop talking she had spoke for two minutes, while the architects were given unlimited time.
“This has been a long meeting and we have had to set off early,” he said
Florence said I have one paragraph left about the colour of the cladding”

“I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE COLOUR OF THE BUILDING,” he declared

A PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN NOT INTERESTED IN THE COLOUR OF THE BUILDING BEING DEBATED, IN THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Just where did this bloke  slither in from, no wonder its carbuncles-R-us down at the Pier Head. We have the honour of being a world heritage site and numbskull Irving and the other planning committee poodles are compliant in world heritage disaster, just what has gone wrong in Liverpool. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/liverpool-city-council-planning.html

A blue plastic clad building, a Travelodge. They who are the purveyors of Cheap and nasty tacky hotel architecture being allowed into the Liverpool World Heritage Site and the committee Chairman says I am not interested in the colour. Well what do you expect from someone who doesn’t live in Liverpool. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/david-irving-planning-chairman-caught.html  It could be said that the current crop of this committee are Subverting the whole planning process.
I hope they can sleep at night.

Just what are the English Heretics doing and where are Unesco. IcomosUK used to comment until Liverpool City Council became a corporate member.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/mann-island-tale-of-two-cities.html
While next door the famous White Star Line Building lies empty rotting away.

Now the Lyceum of Bold Street is to Get a Carbuncle.

They did it with the Bluecoat  which now has a giant Novotel chimney sticking out of it and today they, the council planning committee have passed contemptious passed plans to do the same to The Lyceum one of the finest neo-classical buildings in Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lyceum,_Liverpool  . http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/liverpool-novatel-tragic-addition-to.html  
The Lyceum was saved by Florence Gersten (it must have been so hard for her to argue this one) with the help of SAVE Britains Heritage http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/  who did the exhibition, TRIUMPH DISASTER and DECAY http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/save-exhibition-now-showing-triumph.html  which I reviewed for The Georgian issue no 1/2009 . The saving of the Lyceum is hailed as one of the successes by Marcus Binney in fact a huge one in their entire existence. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/triumph-disaster-and-decay-milkandsugar-liverpool-1630252.html  It now will be despoiled with yet more planning blight courtesy of Liverpool City Council and its ill educated planning committee http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/liverpool-city-council-planning.html  led by the soon to retire permanently to Southport David Irving. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/05/david-irving-planning-chairman-caught.html  An ignorant man whilst Florence was giving a brilliant detailed speech of why it was important to protect the views he did not listen and sat there talking to Nigel Lee, our Chief Planning disaster. He brought in the developers friend John Bimbow of the planning dept who sold it to them. I don’t know how this planning official can sleep at night.
Parts of the plans were needed but again its one step forward and two back in this city.
After all the fuss about Lewis’s closing http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/lewiss-is-to-close-300-jobs-to-go.htm  it become evident through the course of the committee meeting that the developers never had any intention for a shop there.

Some Lyceum history.
http://www.ihbc.org.uk/context_archive/28/cold_dir/cold_s.htm
Originally the Lyceum was to be demolished outrage and a massive campaign ensued.
http://www.liverpoolmonuments.co.uk/buildings/lyceum01.html

See planning application and agenda for today’s meeting.
http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/Published/C00000307/M00009420/AI00062418/$item10.docA.ps.pdf

In the world heritage buffer zone the impact on views of the Anglican cathedral will be huge.
The English Heritics offered no comments.

David Bartlett from the Daily Ghost was there but with their lead today there is no chance of anything other than a thumbs up. Lets see if he notices anything about the iconic Lyceum to now be wrapped in plastic apartments 22 storeys high. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/02/23/liverpool-department-store-lewis-s-set-to-close-with-the-loss-of-300-jobs-92534-25893044/
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/02/23/grosvenor-sells-liverpool-george-henry-lee-and-tesco-buildings-for-20m-92534-25893046/ 
The Daily Ghost claims that the shoppers deserted Liverpool but with no chance of building a business the owners of Lewis’s store were left to go downmarket to survive. Its one step forward and one back.

Setback on University Campus Scheme.

Have the planning committee finally been taken by a stroke of common sense?.
Yesterdays meeting was a done deal Florence Gersten feared. She a fearless and talented heritage campaigner was joined by several (total of 7) objectors armed with signed petitions, who put a case forward in a most understandable manner. A representitive of Minster Court Residents association did a fine speach as did several local residents. This is a scheme that most consider needs to go back to the drawing board. Unless you are David "Do I live in Liverpool or Southport" Irving who it appeared did all he could to assist this application through. The amendment was put forward by Labour Princes Park councillor Anna Rothery who is up for re-election soon.
There were no press at the planning meeting. No the local papers do not even turn up to planning meetings now.more content to rehash the same stories over and over again than leave the warm office. Example
1st December.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/12/01/hill-dickinson-s-work-on-the-museum-of-liverpool-s-energy-contract-won-it-a-top-award-92534-25292494/
August 11th
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/08/11/ldp-legal-hill-dickinson-secures-500-000-energy-bill-saving-for-new-museum-92534-24366116/
Lazyness will get you nowhere the people of Liverpool deserve better than this.
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/12/02/setback-for-liverpool-university-halls-of-residence-plans-92534-25301387/
It was Nick Small who phoned the press outside and a photographer came over to get a flick.
It is no wonder they get the height of the building wrong which is why the plans are objected to on the grounds of the scale and the massing and a load of other facts but what do we expect from the local press.

Riechmarshal Lee Strikes Again

Here is what will be left of Garston Hospital. After Nigel Lee sends in the squadrons.
While Glynn Marsden, the Mr Mannering of the Conservation office and Steve"Pike"Corbett stand by and .........don't panic.


I was sent this letter from someone who wishes to remain anonymous.

You might know all about this, regarding the Sir Alfred Jones Memorial Hospital in Garston which the planning committee have granted approval to demolish (meeting was 21 April) so that the NHS can build a larger facility in the shape of a lumpen Gehry-esque monster. As you can see, the existing building is a rather fine Queen Anne building of 1915, and in a prominent elevated position. Richard Pollard gave it 6 lines in his Lancashire Pevsner - the architects were C. J. Anderson and R. S. Crawford, who also did a library in Crosby - The architect's rendering of the new building shows a tiny porton of the old facade retained: http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/02/09/first-images-of-15-5m-south-liverpool-mini-hospital-64375-22889001/ According to Florence, the planning manager Nigel Lee said there was no point in doing a facade retention scheme since EH do not like preserved facades! best wishes.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/04/22/new-mini-hospital-for-garston-given-approval-92534-23441516/

The Riechmarshal Strikes again.

This has to be the most misguided planning officer in the History of Liverpool.

I think that If we did a facade job on The General Lee it would be letting him off lighty as you can not change the inside character of a man who is, in my opinion no more than a butcher of Liverpools architectural history. And it is the inside lack of character that would still be retained no matter how his teeth were re-arranged.

Florence Gersten did her best to fight a rear guard action on this front to no avail.

Florence Gersten-A Life Spent Helping Others.

Florence Gersten.
I seem to always have to tell about the architectural distress that has befallen my city.
Forget all the stuff about Capital of Culture hype; It is a fact we are making irretrievable mistakes that with the betroth of a legacy of disdain on those who need the help, the next generation.
While the Riechmarshal Nigel Lee and his pock markers down at the planning department have set about destroying the Liverpool essence that sense of place and infilling it with glass boxes, Florence has fought all the way. Every week she trawls the planning lists.
There is only an amount that one person can do no matter how knowledgeable they are.
While Dads Army at the Liverpool Conservation Department (sic) have not even bothered to put up a fight she has been there working hard.
46 Listed Buildings we have lost while Glynn Marsden and Steve Corbett have been around. How can they call themselves Conservation officers with this record.
We even have a buildings at risk officer full time…the cushiest job in the city its like ringing the Carlsberg helpline….ring,ring……..ring,ring…ring,ring …deadening silence.
Florence Gersten is an unsung hero. Her life is spent attaining the architectural knowledge that helps her opinions to be formulated.
She is never far wrong. She is always a help, dedicated to helping to save the heart and soul of Liverpool. Not just the big areas like the WHS, but the run down areas that are a bit rough around the ears.
The problem is that when you have an uneducated clutter of uncultured idiots on the planning committee her opinions are like pearls before swine.
Now led by David Irving, who allegedly lives in Southport, so what does he care about what happens here, the planning committee is made up of numbskull's. Florence has probably forgotten more last week than the whole lot of them have or will ever know in their entire lives about architectural taste or terminology or its history.
Lady Doreen Jones who recently said, “Politics is a dirty business” who was chair of the planning committee used to brush her aside when she was playing political shenanigans and use her opinions when needed. I was at the committee meeting when a lady shouted “Shame on you Doreen” such was the anger she evoked in her dirty business.
Florence does all her printing and expenses from her own purse and it must have mounted up over the years. Nothing I have ever enquired from her has ever been too much trouble. She is an unsung heroine fighting the insurmountable odds with developers and a council with massive budgets. She will always know about the detail of a Georgian fanlight or a unique dwelling that cannot be seen from the road.
Despite sometimes not being in the best of health.
Her knowledge and understanding should be used to enhance a grasp of the past, and if that was done we would be far better with an architectural legacy of her choice than a load of tacky glass boxes that are thrust upon us of recent dates.
Florence Gersten should be listed as a monument to one lady’s fight against insurmountable odds.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/15/world-legacy-lost-64375-19951585/
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/src/webroot/ldp2/liverpool-life-features/liverpool-special-features/2009/02/04/preserving-the-future-wealth-of-liverpool-64375-22849428/
SAVE EXPO Liverpool Triumph Disaster and Decay.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/expats/localhistory//tm_headline=the-city-s-magnificent-seven%26method=full%26objectid=18579168%26page=1%26siteid=50061-name_page.html