4 C O N T E X T 1 7 4 : D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 ‘THERE’S NO point in challenging Unesco’s decision now as that is water under the bridge. But we do need to point out that some 99.5 per cent of the global heritage assets which were the basis for the Unesco inscription are still here, and many in better condition than ever... ‘The River Mersey runs through a metropolitan area of exceptional heritage quality – a working port city region and its mercantile dwellings such as those in the Canning Street Conservation Area or Hamilton Square in Birkenhead. It is vital that these assets are protected, appreciated and enhanced for future generations, whilst supporting tourism and investment in the city, and we believe that a national heritage area policy designation would achieve just that… ‘Our proposed new national designation would reflect those which apply to national environmental assets like the national parks, areas of outstanding national beauty and national nature reserves in rural areas, which have long-term resourcing for management from government. It is very surprising that there is a no equivalent of these designations in our great cities.’ Gavin Davenport, chair of Merseyside Civic Society, calling for Liverpool’s former world heritage site and adjoining areas to be given a new ‘national heritage area’ status after the city’s world heritage site inscription was withdrawn by Unesco last year. ‘THIS, the only UK work of the exceptional and ground-breaking Philadelphia-based architects Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi, was designed after intense research with passion, empathy, creativity, and delicacy. [We] and so many, many others love this wing which is the subject of current full planning and listed building applications… ‘Selldorf Architects’… proposed changes are to our minds insensitive and inappropriately change a finely conceived space into an airport lounge. Their plans involve making drastic and irreversible changes. They have applied to gut the ground and first (mezzanine) floor to provide an espresso bar and cafeteria, which will irreversibly alter the character of the building. ‘A beautifully designed sequence of spaces and the imaginative detailing, such as in the entrance floor with its huge columns and coffered ceiling, were inspired; it would be prudent to restore this space as originally constructed, with the colour scheme proposed by Venturi Scott Brown. Many great architects have emphasised the intense experience of moving from dark into light spaces, which was so very carefully considered. ‘We have noted that a revised scheme has been submitted, which on a cursory glance appears perhaps even more ill-judged.’ Eight former RIBA presidents expressing their concern over Selldorf Architects’ plans to adapt the Grade I listed National Gallery and Sainsbury Wing ‘WANDSWORTH’S pubs are now the best protected in the entire country and have a genuine defence against the relentless spread of mini-supermarkets and estate agents.We know how much our residents love their locals, and in many cases they really are the epicentre of community life. I’m proud and delighted we’ve found a way to protect them. ‘This could be a real turning point for our nation’s superb but vulnerable pub trade, and Wandsworth is more than ready to share its approach with other authorities.’ Jonathan Cook, deputy leader, explaining howWandsworth Council has removed permitted development rights from 120 of the borough’s bars and taverns.The council claims to be the first local authority in England to grant Article 4 directions on this scale. The staircase of the National Gallery’s Sainsbury wing (Photo: Philafrenzy, Wikimedia)
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