Although I could only make the last 45 minutes of the meeting last night, it is clear that there remains a gulf between the Stockfield Community Association and some other parts of the community. The SCA/Yardley Baptists have put their case in a meeting and will put it again on Wednesday at the Ward Committee at Acocks Green Library - I'd urge those for, against and those undecided to attend and listen to the arguments.
The architects did publicly say that they are open to discussing the detail of the application and making changes - I've undertaken to ensure that they are able to meet with the planning officers to discuss it - but they are firm in the need to demolish and replace the hall as the third phase in a series of works that will revive the semi-derelict Arthur Moore Hall behind it and see work done on the main body of the church. As ecclesiastical exemption applies to both of those parts, they are outside the local authority remit.
We have three broad camps - those in favour of demolition and rebuild as per the current plans, those who oppose demolition and would only accept reconstruction and repair and those who reluctantly accept the need to replace the hall, but have problems with the current designs. That oversimplifies the range of opinion quite massively, but I suspect it covers most people!
I would like to see exactly what the architects are prepared to offer in terms of changes, but they weren't forthcoming on that. They did reveal that there is an alternative plan which sees the black slate monolith clad in clay tiles instead, which might provide a more aesthetically pleasing look, but I'd particularly like to see the asymmetrical roof line changed to be more in keeping with the other roof lines along that stretch, particularly as it is at the outer edge of the proposed conservation area and there is room for the design to better echo and complement surrounding buildings without becoming a pastiche.
My key point was that when the architects have packed up their drawing desks and gone home, it will be those of us who have to live by this building that will have to take the consequences and I want it to continue to be something that we welcome in the area, not an eyesore. While I'm very sensitive to the need to conserve the built environment - I've supported the conservation area for years and am at the forefront of the campaign to preserve the police station - we also need to provide for the needs of the community. Reconciling those two aspects remains a huge challenge.
