Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area - Pinfold St, Victoria Square & Paradise StHISTORIC IMPACT ASSESSMENTNovember 2013 RevB

MIDLAND METROBIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE EXTENSION (EXTENSION TO CENTENARY SQUARE)

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Background

3.0 Context

4.0 Identification of Heritage Assets and Setting

5.0 Chronological Development

6.0 Assessment of setting and contribution to significance of the heritage assets.

7.0 Assessing the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the assets and identifying any opportunities to maximise enhancement and minimise harm.

8.0 Summary

1

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This Heritage Assessment considers the impact of the proposed Metro line extension on part of Colmore Row conservation area that includes Pinfold Street, the south western section of Victoria Square and Paradise Street.

1.2 The purpose of this document is to accompany the application for the discharge of conditions in relation to hard and soft landscape works, details pursuant to the Town Hall stop, along with the re-location of the GP Telephone Boxes which will be dealt with as a Prior Notification application.

2.0 Background

2.1 The Midland Metro is a light rail rapid transit system that operates between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St Georges. The proposed works are linked to the extension of Midland Metro Line One to Birmingham City Centre.

2.2 The extension of the Line from Birmingham Snow Hill to Five Ways and Edgbaston was approved under a Transport and Works Act (TWA) Order (The Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre) Extension Order 2005) and deemed Planning Permission granted under the reference TWA/03/APP/04.

2.3 The route of the Metro runs along Pinfold Street and passes through the southwestern section of Victoria Square then runs to the south of the Town Hall along Paradise Street, then on to Broad Street where it terminates at Centenary Square.

2.4 The works require adjustment of ground levels at the northern end of Pinfold Street to address engineering requirements. The alignment of the route also requires adjustment of steps and walls within Victoria Square.

2.5 A Metro stop is proposed immediately to the south of the Town Hall.

2

3.0 Context

3.1 The National Planning Policy Framework states that “In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting.” Howl Associates has been commissioned to undertake a Heritage Assessment to address these issues as part of as part of the discharge of conditions for the TWA Deemed Planning Permission and a Prior Notification application for the relocation of GP telephone boxes.

3.2 This document therefore aims to:

3.2.1 Identify the heritage asset (and its setting) that has the potential to be affected by the proposed development.

3.2.2 Provide a brief overview of the chronological development of the asset, and its significance.

3.2.3 Assess whether, how and to what degree these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset.

3.2.4 Assess the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the asset.

3.2.5 Identify any opportunities to maximise enhancement and minimise harm.

3

4.0 Identification of heritage asset and setting

4.1 The key map opposite shows the location of the heritage assets that lie adjacent the route of the proposed Metro.

4.2 Listing and heritage asset descriptions.

4.2.1 Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area Colmore Row and Environs Conservation

Area was designated in October 1971 and extended in March and then in July 1985. The conservation area covers 21.70 hectares (53.62 acres) in Birmingham City Centre and is contained within Ladywood Ward in Ladywood Constituency.

Pinfold Street, Victoria Square and the

majority of Paradise Street fall within the designated area.

4.2.2 Art Gallery, Council House & Council House Extension. Grade II* Listed. (List entry number 1210333) Listing Description “1874-9 by H R Yeoville Thomason. Stone; tile roof. Three storeys plus basement; 3 bay centrepiece plus 8 bay wings whose outer bays are advanced and carry segmental pediments. The centre piece with a wide and deep porte-cochere carrying a balcony behind which a central arch with mosaic tympanum by Salviati flanked by Corinthian piers and columns carrying a pediment with carved relief. Behind this, a dome on a high drum. Either side windows with shoulders and the first and second floors articulated by giant Corinthian pilasters. Inside, a grand staircase beneath the dome leads up to a suite of 3 reception rooms on the first floor with Corinthian pilasters and coffered ceilings. The

Colmore Row & Environs Conservation Area (shaded in green)

Town Hall

Queen’s College

Chambers

Victoria Square House

80-83 New Street

84-87 New Street

88-91 New Street

92-93 New Street

Proposed Metro Extension(shaded in red)

Victoria Square

Paradise Street

Pinfold Street

Council House

NNot to scaleColmore Row and Environs Conservation Area MapSource: Birmingham City Council

Conservation Area boundaryProposed Metro extensionListed BuildingsLocally listed buildings

4

Council Room is small and semi- circular.

On the left hand return, the entrance to the City Museum and Art Gallery which occupies part of the same site. 1881-5 and also by Yeoville Thomason. In general design and decoration the building follows the Council House. The entrance up steps within a 2 storeyed portico with sculptured pediment. To its left ‘Big Brum’, a tall clock tower with tiled roof. At the head of the main staircase of the museum, a fresco, Corporation Street in March 1914, by Joseph Southall 1915-6. Joined to the main building by a bridge on a broad segmental arch over Chamberlain Square and bounded by Great Charles Street, Queensway B3, Congreve Passage B3, Chamberlain Square B3 and Margaret Street B3 is the Council House extension housing also the Feeney Art Galleries of the City Museum and Art Gallery. 1911-9 by Ashley and Newman. Stone. Two storeys plus basement and attic. In an Edwardian Renaissance rather than Baroque style with banded rustication to the ground floor and a giant order in the upper floors.”

4.2.3 Town Hall. Grade I Listed. (List entry number 1343161). Listing Description “Won in competition in

1830 by JA Hansom and E Welch; building started 1832 and completed and enlarged by Charles Edge. Anglesey marble. Peripteral temple of the Corinthian order, 8 bays by 15, and raised on a high rusticated podium with round headed openings. In the walls of the cellar tall windows within eared surrounds and standing on a moulded string course. The interior altered 1926-7.”

4.2.4 Former General Post Office. Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1076142).

Listing Description “1889-91 by Sir Henry Tanner. Stone; slate roof. Three storeys plus attic; 5 bays, the centre one slightly advanced and with superimposed

orders, plus diagonal corner bays with pedimented entrances and also with superimposed orders. Ground floor with arched openings. First and second floors with cross windows. Exceedingly lively skyline with an arched window within a pedimented attic flanked by steeply pitched roofs with dormer windows and corner polygonal turrets with pediments, little domes and urns as finials.”

4.2.5 80 - 83 New Street (includes 49 and 50 Pinfold Street). Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1343089).

Listing Description “Later C19. Brick with stone dressings. In a Venetian Gothic style. Four storeys; 5 bays with a complex system of pilasters dividing the bays plus the corner towards Pinfold Street. Ground floor with modern shop fronts. First floor with a shallow-pointed arched window, a segment-headed window and 3 more shallow-arched windows. Second floor with a couplet of shouldered windows with colonnette and shouldered painted super-arches, a round-arched window with boldly decorated pointed super-arch and 3 more couplets of windows. Thin floor with a couplet of segment-headed windows with colonnette and pointed super-arches, an arched window with pointed super-arch and 3 more couplets of windows, 2 of them altered. Elaborately bracketted eaves cornice and parapet, missing in 2 bays.”

5

standing on a moulded cornice and with their heads in decorated panels. Second floor with a central tripartite window and 2 windows, all standing on a moulded and dentilled cornice in eared moulded surrounds and with cornices above. richly

bracketted eaves cornice end blocking course with altered parapet and attic above. The long left-hand return on Ethel Street (where the entrance to No 3 Ethel Street is) in a similar style though altered.”

4.2.9 Queen’s College Chambers. Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1076221).

Listing Description. “ 1904 ornate buff terracotta and brick facade to the former Anglican college of 1843 (now demolished to rear). Three tall storeys with 3 gabled bays, with oriels in tiers through the 3 floors to flanking bays. Arched mullioned transomed windows and traceried panelling throughout. Enriched ogee arched entrance with canopied niche above containing statue of Queen Victoria. Modern office windows inserted in segmental ground floor arcade.”

4.2.6 84 - 87 New Street (includes 45 to 48 Pinfold Street). Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1076242).

Listing Description “Later C19. Stucco. Four storey; 5 bays. Ground floor with modern shop fronts. First floor with couplets of windows with Corinthian pilasters, altered in bays 3 and 4. Each second moor bay with 2 arched window standing on a decorated band and with Corinthian columns and big round-headed super-arches. Each third floor bay with 3 sash windows standing on a decorated cornice. Elaborate bracketted eaves cornice.”

4.2.7 88 - 91 New Street (includes 44 Pinfold Street). Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1219731).

Listing Description “Late C19. Brick with stone dressings. Four storeys; 5 bays. Ground floor with modern shop front. First floor with a central window and 4 tripartite windows, all with shouldered lights. Second floor with central arched window and 4 tripartite windows with segmental heads and sculpted aprons. Third floor with central arched window and 4 couplets of arches windows, all with colonnettes and moulded arches. Brick dentilled eaves cornice and stone parapet.”

4.2.8 92 and 93 New Street (includes 3 - 17 Ethel Street), Grade II Listed. (List entry number 1076243).

Listing Description “Later C19. Stucco; slate roof. Three storeys plus later attic; 3 bays plus the polygonal corner entrance bay. Ground floor with modern shop fronts. First floor with a central Serlian-type window and 2 arched windows, all

6

5.0 Chronological Development

5.1 William Westley’s map of 1731 shows a reasonably familiar street pattern beginning to emerge. We can see Pinfold Street, and its intersection with New Street, as well as New Hall Lane (now known as Colmore Row). Pinfold Street appears to have a reasonably well developed frontage, with a series of small plots to the west, and a wooded area to the east bounded by New Street and Peck Lane.

5.2 Samuel Bradford’s map of 1750 shows the emergence of development along Bewdley Street (known today as Colmore Row) in the approximate location where the council house is now located. We can also see a tree lined route leading towards St Phillips, which was within the formal gardens of a grand house known as Bennett’s Hill House. “The house had been built in 1698 by John Pemberton outside the town on the top of Bennett’s Hill. The lease for the land of the house and garden was for 120 years, and in 1748 Thomas Pemberton (John’s son) added a clause that the land could not be built upon for the term of the lease to protect the elegant gardens and tree lined walks that he had created. Little snippets of the land were cut away over the next 70 years, the corner was negotiated for the building of Christ Church in 1805, and houses popped up along the edges adjoining New Street and Ann Street, but the vast bulk of the land was not able to be built on till 1818 (Source: mappingbirmingham.blogspot.co.uk).

5.3 The land bounded by Pinfold Street and Swinford Street (known today as New Street) is undeveloped in 1750, and labelled as ‘Colette’s Garden’. By 1778 this land has been built upon.

Above: extract from William Westley’s map of Birmingham, 1731

Left: Westley’s East Prospect of Birmingham, 1732

N

Pinfold Street

New Street

Present day Victoria Square

7

5.4 Thomas Hanson’s map of 1778 (bottom right) shows a wide and well developed Paradise Row (now known as Paradise Street), leading to a canal wharf. The text notes that “In the Year 1768 an Act was obtained to make a Navigable Cut or Canal from this Town to the Cottim’s and from thence to join the Wolverhampton Canal…which was began in 1768 & completed in 1774.” It is therefore likely that Paradise Row formed a busy trade route for goods coming in and out of the city.

5.5 The 1821 painting by Samuel Lines (right) shows a view from the top of St Phillips. Dominating the skyline is the new Christ Church, which was consecrated in 1813. The church was built on a raised plinth, beneath which were a series of shops at street level.

5.6 We can see that the former gardens of Bennett’s Hill House are beginning to be developed. To the left of Christ Church, on New Street, is a round building known as The Panorama, which displayed 360 degree paintings. The building was opened in 1804 and rebuilt in 1828 (Source: mappingbirmingham.blogspot.co.uk).

Above: Painting by Samuel Lines, 1821

Left: extract from Samuel Bradford’s map of Birmingham, 1750

Right: extract from Thomas Hanson’s map of Birmingham, 1778

8

5.7 In 1843 the Town Hall bacame a significant addition to the townscape of the area. In his book ‘All About Victoria Square’, author Joe Holyoak notes that ‘For the first 40 years of its life, it was as out of scale with its surroundings as an ocean liner anchored in a fishing village. It towered imperially over two and three storeyed houses and shops, with only Christ Church as a neighbour of any architectural pretension.’ Queen’s College on Paradise Street was also built in 1843.

5.8 Other buildings of civic stature were added in the following decades that are recorded on the OS map of 1890 (right). This shows the Birmingham and Midland Institute (1860s), the second Central Library (1882) and the Council House (1879). The statues of Peel and Priestly are identified and would have helped reinforce the focal point character of the space.

5.9 The General Post Office at that time is shown opposite the Town Hall, on the junction of Paradise Street and Hill Street, replaced in 1891 by a new building on Paradise Street located between Pinfold Street and Hill Street, which is the building now known as Victoria Square House.

5.10 The placing of the Council House had consciously opened up the vista along Colmore Row towards the side of the Town Hall and enlarged the civic space to its east at this time known as Council House Square. This however still lacked the quality of designed civic spaces to be found in other cities, having evolved from the intersection of principal roads.

5.11 Interestingly the 1890 OS map (above right) shows tram lines running along Paradise Street, past the southern end of the town hall, and terminating in Council House Square. These can also be seen on the 1887 photograph of Paradise Street (overleaf).

Above: OS map 1890Source: Ordnance Survey historical mapping from Landmark Information Group, Order no. 44822410_1_1. Not to scale.

Left: Painting by Samuel Lines, 1848

N

9

By 1905 they are however no longer shown on the OS map of that date. Council House Square is now called Victoria Square (renamed on the 10th January 1901)

5.12 The OS map of 1905 (right) shows that Christ Church (demolished in 1899), along with the shops around its base, had been replaced by a block of buildings known as Christ Church buildings, or colloquially as Galloway’s Corner. The steps which were once behind the church were retained, and still exist to this day (known as Christ Church Passage).

5.13 The Temperance Hotel (shown in the photograph right) was demolished to make way for the new Head Post Office (completed 1891), the design of which was harshly criticised in The Builder at the time. “For once we may congratulate Birmingham on having set down in her streets, from a foreign source, something as course and common-place in architectural design as any of her native developments. Pots and tea urns of abnormal dimensions are perched about on ledges and on cornices; the whole of it is fussy, pretentious, and totally wanting in dignity or breadth of effect.” (quoted in Holyoak 1989).

5.14 The Victorian and Edwardian eras created a city centre with a strong urban character and the selection of photographs on the following page of the area around the Town Hall and the Council House present a confident image of a progressive industrial city.

Above: OS map 1905Source: Ordnance Survey historical mapping from Landmark Information Group, Order no. 44822410_1_1. Not to scale.

Right: Top of Pinfold Street and Hill Street 1887 showing the Temperance HotelSource: ‘Victorian and Edwardian Birmingham from old photographs’ by Dorothy McCulla

N

10

5.15 At this time the pronounced level changes within the area are addressed through gentle slopes within the width of the streets.

Top left: General Post Office 1891 Source: B’ham Mail

Centre left: General Post Office 1891 Source: Heritage Explorer

Bottom left: Christ Church circa 1891Source: MappingBirmingham.blogspot.uk

Top right: View NE along Paradise Street towards Town Hall (Christ Church in background)Source: Birmingham Archives

Bottom right: View NE along Paradise Street towards Town Hall 1905Source: unknown

11

5.16 Very little change is evident in the OS map of 1927. The aerial photgraph below right from 1921 captures the character of spaces around the Town Hall and Council House and illustrates the lack of a major public space, apart from Chamberlain Place beyond the Town Hall.

Above: OS map 1937Source: Ordnance Survey historical mapping from Landmark Information Group, Order no. 44822410_1_1. Not to scale.

Left: Aerial view of Victoria Square, 1921Source: Britain from Above

N

12

5.17 By 1937 the space bounded by the Town Hall, the Council House and Galloways Corner has taken on the characteristics of a traffic island as illustrated in the adjacent photograph. While the ground slopes away from the Council House to the east, the pronounced level change is largely concealed by the general slope in road and footways around the buildings at Galloways Corner.

5.18 By the OS map of 1952-55 little had changed but proposals were being developed for a new road system that would dramatically change the face of Birmingham for ever and have repercussions on the urban character of Victoria Square.

5.19 This period was one of great change, as work on the inner ring road began in 1957. The Central Library and the Birmingham and Midland Institute were demolished for the construction of Paradise Circus Queensway, leaving the Town Hall marooned amidst a busy road junction.

5.20 The plan to widen Colmore Row shown on the plan to the right led to the acquisition and subsequent demolition of the buildings at Galloway’s Corner in 1970. These highway plans were however never realised, and the site was simply grassed over - see photo on next page

5.21 Planning permission for demolition of the General

Post Office was granted in 1973, but the building was saved in the 1980s following a determined campaign by the Victorian Society. The façade of Queen’s College was also saved in 1981, although the building behind it was redeveloped.

Above: Victoria Square, date unknownSource: Skyscraper City Forum

Right: Proposed Birmingham inner ring road 1947Source: National Archives

N13

5.22 The photograph below right shows the grassed area of ground where Galloways corner stood. This was a popular area for people to sit during their lunch break and perhaps sowed the seeds to create a more formalised open space that could provide a truly civic space in front of the Council House.

5.23 Although the OS map of 1992 continues to show the dominance of roadways through Victoria Square proposals were in hand to make the upper section of New Street closest to Victoria Square a pedestrianised street. The first part of this scheme was completed in 1993 and was hailed as a resounding success attracting a claimed 10,000 extra shoppers a day.

5.24 Parts of the area however continued to be dominated by highways and the map of 1992 shows the section of Paradise Street to the south of the town hall divided with a central barrier preventing pedestrian movement across the street.

5.25 In 1994 plans for a new public space in front of the Council House were developed and an international design competition was launched to create a central water feature, which was won by Dhruva Mistry. This addressed the level change across the square with two major flights of steps and a water cascade between an upper and lower pool. The design, which includes a number of sculptures, was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1994.

5.26 The area also includes the Iron Man sculpture by internationally renowned sculptor Anthony Gormley.

N

Above: OS map 1992Source: Ordnance Survey historical mapping from Landmark Information Group, Order no. 44822410_1_1. Not to scale.

Left: view towards council house following demolition of Galloways CornerSource: unknown

14

Above: Victoria SquareSource: Birmingham Mail

Right: Victoria Square, early 1990sSource: Rudi.net

5.27 The creation of a new civic space bounded by the Town Hall, Council House and Victoria Square House provided a much needed focal point within the city centre that could be used for events and celebrations. It is used for siting the city’s official Christmas Tree and annual Franfurt Christmas Market.

15

6.0 Assessment of setting and contribution to significance of the heritage assets

6.1 A significant feature of the setting is its topography, which slopes down from north to south. The Town Hall and Council House are set on the higher ground creating dominance within Victoria Square and dramatically terminating vistas along New Street, Pinfold Street and Hill Street. The way in which this level change has been addressed has varied considerably over the past two hundred years.

6.2 The watercolour view from 1845 (upper right) looking east along Paradise Street towards Christ Church illustrates how level changes across the street were dealt with at that time. A wall and railings is provided at the intersection of the footway and roadway. Railings are also used to provide edge protection to basement lightwells to the properties on the right. In the sketch view looking up Hill Street towards the Town Hall (lower right) a similar approach has been used to address level changes between footway and roadway.

Left: Watercolour of Paradise Street by Charles Rudd, 1848

Below left: View of Town Hall from Hill StreetSource: Old & New Birmingham: A History of the Town and its People. By Robert K. Dent 1880

16

6.3 By 1896 the photograph opposite shows that parts of Paradise Street had been redeveloped and the level change seemingly eliminated. This allowed free pedestrian movement from one side of the street to the other and produced an attractive street scene. This was still the arrangement in the 1960s as illustrated in the photograph (middle right) and it is not until the redevelopment of the south side of Paradise Street in 1980s that retaining walls and barriers are introduced within the width of the roadway, effectively dividing the street into two halves. At this time two lines of retaining walls were created, one separating the two carriageways and the other separating the southern carriageway from the adjacent footway next to the colonnaded building on Paradise Street. These barriers have a utilitarian Highway design character.

6.4 Apart from the pedestrianisation of the upper roadway level, which greatly improved the space immediately in front of the southern end of the Town Hall this arrangement of barriers remains to the present.

6.5 The introduction of level changes and barriers within the width of Paradise Street was clearly a retrograde step in terms of townscape design.

Above: Paradise Street 1896Source: Birmingham Archives

Middle left: Paradise Street & Town Hall in 1960sSource: Leonard Stace

17

6.6 The marked level changes within Victoria Square had previously been addressed at building faces. Originally the podium level of Christ Church had allowed footway levels to slope round the building face between Colmore Row and New Street with small retail units introduced into the base. The large level change between Waterloo Street and New Street was overcome on the east side of Christ Church by a large flight of steps.

6.7 Following the demolition of Christ Church the levels were addressed again by a gently sloping footway round the perimeter of the replacement block of buildings known as Christ Church Buildings / Galloways Corner that provided an active frontage of shop units onto Victoria Square.

6.8 Within Victoria Square the roadways and footways sloped down from the level area in front of the Council House to the head of New Street.

6.9 The later demolition of Christ Church Buildings / Galloways Corner highlighted the dramatic level change between New Street and the intersection of Waterloo Street and Colmore Row. At this time the transition was addressed by a sloping grass area and diagonal footpath linking the two sides.

6.10 The redesigned Victoria Square area has addressed these level changes in a more dramatic manner by creating a larger level upper area in front of the Council House, linked by two major flights of steps to the lower space adjacent the junction of Church Passage and New Street.

6.11 The pedestrianisation of Victoria Square has provided a very significant improvement to the previously road dominated space.

Above: Victoria Square 1952Source: Birmingham History Forum

Right: Demolition of Galloway’s Corner 1971Source: Unknown

18

7.0 Assessing the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the assets and identifying any opportunities to maximise enhancement and minimise harm

7.1 The principle of routing the Metro through the Conservation Area has already been approved. To achieve the required gradient profiles it is necessary to ‘cut down’ into existing levels at the head of Pinfold Street. The operational width required to accommodate the tramway requires adjustment of the Victoria Square Wall (shown centrally in the lower photograph), relocation of the Iron Man sculpture and the loss of a number of trees.

7.2 The detailed impact on particular listed buildings

that are affected by the proposed work is covered in separate listed building consent applications.

7.3 This impact assessment considers the

wider setting effects of the Metro within the Conservation Area and focuses on two principle areas:

- Victoria Square from Pinfold St to Town Hall (including GP telephone boxes)

- Town Hall tram stop.

Above and Left: Victoria Square, 2013

19

7.4 Victoria Square from Pinfold St to Town Hall

7.5 The proposed alignment of the Midland Metro as it enters Victoria Square from Pinfold Street necessitates changes to the layout of the Square to ensure a safe and attractive environment for pedestrians.

7.6 The proposed surface treatment of the tram line and the need to slightly lower ground levels where it enters the Square will inevitably increase the visual prominence of the route from Pinfold Street and generally create some ‘reordering’ of ‘desire lines’ through the Square. In contrast to a number of historic examples where lines routed through a single surface material, here visual emphasis is given to the tram lines using kerb lines set parallel to the rails and the use of different materials within the track zone that differ from the surrounding paving.

7.7 Discussions on the issue culminated in separate site visits with the City Council’s Design and Conservation officers to explore opportunities to alter the position of the planters and associated wall in the southern part of the Square. It was agreed with BCC that adjusting the position of the planters was an acceptable solution to enable the safe operation of the Metro through the Square.

7.7 Within Victoria Square the track alignment

requires the repositioning of the stone wall to the Diana memorial that forms part of the major improvement works undertaken in the mid 1990s. While the water feature and steps have a symmetrical composition the stone faced landscape planter is not a ‘mirror image’ of the planter on the opposite side. Adjustment of its plan geometry is therefore not considered critical to the overall design, although minor adjustment will be required to the plinth of one of sculptures known as ‘The Guardians’.

Statue of Queen Victoria

20

7.8 The levels around the base of the memorial wall will be reduced as part of the Metro works. Adjustment to its height will be carried out in the projecting plinth course at its base so modifications will not impact on the proportion of the upper inscribed section of the wall.

7.9 The modification of the steps around the base

of Queen Victoria’s statue and the introduction of handrails to the proposed flight of steps and head of the ‘seating steps’ slightly detracts from the simple sculptural effect of the existing uncluttered circular array of steps.

7.9 Apart from the decorative lamp posts near to

the Council House, Victoria Square has been kept clear of vertical clutter. The introduction of poles to support the OLE where the Metro passes through the southern side of the Square is however a necessary operational requirement the principles of which have been previously approved.

7.10 The existing telephone call boxes at the junction of Pinfold Street and New Street are proposed to be relocated within Victoria Square. A separate Prior Notification submission is being made alongside the Application to discharge the conditions and relates to the new position and external appearance of the boxes. The telephone boxes were positioned in their current location following pedestrianisation of New Street and their relocation is not considered to be of heritage significance.

7.11 Overall the proposals within Victoria Square are

considered to have a neutral impact on this part of the Conservation Area.

Proposed view of Paradise Street (Gillespies)

21

7.12 Town Hall tram stop

7.13 While historically surfaces have gently sloped down from the Town Hall towards the head of Hill Street the engineering requirements of the Metro will result in the creation of a ‘plateau area’ immediately to the south of the Town Hall. As a consequence the change in level between the Town Hall and Hill Street will require a retaining wall and flight of steps to be formed. Historically the route along Hill Street continued past the Town Hall into Congreve Street, although this continuity was lost to some extent following the introduction of the inner ring road and the construction of the library designed by John Madin (1974). The introduction of the flight of six steps will however maintain this as a pedestrian desire line.

7.14 The need for a retaining wall to the south of the

Town Hall tram stop creates a space that tapers down from east to west next to No.1 Victoria Square, the wall being approximately 2m from the face of Queen’s College Chambers (Grade II listed) at its closest point. This and the further section of retaining wall to the west has a minor negative impact on the setting of Queen’s College Chambers, although the proposed materials for the wall and paving are a considerable improvement on the existing materials in this area.

7.15 Mott Macdonald drawing MMD-300207-CS08-DRA-0000-090 shows how the change in levels will be addressed to provide space to accommodate the footway in front of the Town Hall, the tramway carriageway, and footpath in front of No.1 Victoria Square.

Proposed landscaping plan Dec 2013 (Gillespies - DWG OX4500-20-GA-108)

22

Victoria Square House

1 Victoria Square

Victoria Square

Town Hall

7.16 There has been discussion with the Conservation Officer regarding the siting and design of the tram stop adjacent the Town Hall. The Transport and Works Act Order granted Centro the powers to construct the Victoria Square Tram Stop and associated platforms on Paradise Street, broadly in the area between the Town Hall and No. 1 Victoria Square. The Street Design Guide at the time of the Order was developed in collaboration with the City Council to guide detailed public realm proposals and envisaged that both tram stop platforms would have shelter canopies.

7.17 However during the Public Inquiry into the BCCE the provision of stop infrastructure was discussed and in his report, the Inspector stated a preference to dispense with all stop infrastructure unless necessary on the grounds of safety or security. Following on from this, discussions with BCC revealed a strong preference that the Victoria Square tramstop did not include shelters on either platform, therefore concurring with the inspector. This revised approach sought a reduction in street clutter to protect the setting of the listed Town Hall building and the wider Conservation Area.

7.18 Centro was concerned that in this scenario, neither platform at the stop would provide weather protection for Metro users waiting for tram services and it was subsequently agreed that whilst the platform closest to the Town Hall should not have a shelter, a canopy could be provided on the opposite Centenary Square bound platform. The omission of the waiting shelter that would have been provided on the north platform of the tram stop (closest to the Town Hall) will minimise adverse visual impact on the setting of the Town Hall.

Initial proposals included a shelter to both tram stop platforms. The shelter adjacent to the Town Hall has been omitted in the current proposals folowing discussion with Planning and Conservation officers

6910.02.06

Victoria Square D

esign ProposalVV VVVicto

ricto

ricto

ricto

ricto

ria Squaria Squaria Squaria Squaria Square e  e e e TT TTTrr rrram

 Sam

 Sam

 Sam

 Sam

 Stoptoptoptoptop V

isualisation 2 ref: OX3995­P­306

FOR ILLU

STRATION ONLY.

23

6610.02.06

Victoria Square Design ProposalVVVVVictorictorictorictorictoria  Squaria  Squaria  Squaria  Squaria  Square e e e e TTTTTrrrrram Sam Sam Sam Sam Stoptoptoptoptop  Plan  ref: OX3995­P­105  ­C

FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY

21

7.19 Care has also been taken to reduce operational items, such as tram stop names and passenger information boards, to an operational minimum to reduce visual clutter in this area. Platform elevation details can be found on Creactive Drawings 1193-006 and 1193-007.

7.20 While the space between the Town Hall colonnade and the edge of the tram stop will be narrower than the current area between the colonnade and highway barrier the proposed surface treatment and the omission of the existing retaining wall and barrier will enhance the townscape appearance in this area.

7.21 The removal of vehicular traffic from this section

of road will also be an enhancement. 7.22 Rather than adopting pole supports for the OLE

next to the Town Hall it is proposed that building fixings will be used (subject to detailed structural investigation). This will require listed building consent, which is dealt with under a separate application.

Proposed view of Paradise Street (Gillespies, 2013)

8.0 Summary

8.1 Overall the proposals for the area by the Town Hall are considered to have a neutral to minor positive impact on the setting of the listed building and the Conservation Area when compared to the existing arrangement.

Above: Town Hall

24Howl Associates Ltd, Shrubbery House, 21 Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, DY10 2BX www.howl.co.ukDate: 04.12.13