Design for new Leicester gallery may be redrawn after criticism
Alternative designs for a new art gallery in Leicester city centre are to be considered – after people complained its look was not in keeping with the area.
Leicester City Council has said it will listen to the concerns raised about the £2.4m glass and steel gallery planned for historic New Walk.
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An artist's vision of the proposed art gallery, seen from New Walk.
If a decision to change the plans is made, the council said it will carry out a full consultation with the public, lasting around two months.
Friends of New Walk, a conservation group made up of residents and businesses, has expressed concern at the council's current design and claimed members had not been properly consulted on the issue.
They want a building which is more sympathetic with the Georgian history of New Walk.
Local councillor and cabinet member for regeneration, Patrick Kitterick, has met with members.
He said: "The friends expressed their strong support for the concept of a gallery in that location but expressed concern about the projection out of the front of the building.
"Their main concern is that it could set a precedent of building beyond the building line.
"We have asked the architects to see if they can find alternatives."
A petition against the design has been launched by the city's Conservative group, who described it as "architectural vandalism".
Leicester Civic Society has also objected to the design, adding that an alternative site, like the former Nat West Bank, in St Martin's, should be considered.
Cabinet member for culture, Andy Connelly, said: "It is a planning application and subject to the planning process. We will be taking into account people's views, particularly on the design. The concept is something we will be standing by."
A planning application for the gallery was put in last month to replace the City Gallery, in Granby Street.
If agreed, an existing building close to New Walk Museum will be demolished and replaced by the three-storey new building.
An original £1.1m estimate for the gallery was drawn up by council officers, but consultants said that to attract exhibitions from all over the world, the new building would have to cost about £2.4m.
The gallery will feature two large rooms and incorporate a balcony gallery. It will have shops and a cafe.
The council would like work to start next January and be completed by March 2011.
Wendy and Dennis Allum's home is next door to the proposed gallery.
Mr Allum said: "The current design is unacceptable. I hope the council now takes the opportunity to consult more widely.
"Quite a few people have openly expressed their concern, but we know for every one of them there are a hundred who feel the same way."
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by Any Mouse, East Midlands
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:53PM
“Why are we wasting money on an art gallery when the council says it needs to save money. Thousands of redundancies announced at County Hall - at this rate the City Council will also be shedding staff soon.”
by Michael Taylor, Leicester
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:41PM
“Why not use part of The Curve? it's empty most of the time and heaven knows it might even get some use for the money thrown at it.”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:27PM
“"They want a building which is more sympathetic with the Georgian history of New Walk" !
How does that work, then - do you buy a 'Georgian Building Kit' , add water and watch it grow ? Or move a georgian building from somewhere else brick by brick ?
The only proper solution in a real Conservation Area like New Walk is to just not put a building like this up at all.
The question that needs to be asked first and foremost even before any planning consultation takes place is why the City Council feels the need to build another Art Gallery opposite a building that is supposed to be used as one anyway - has some sort of huge demand for this suddenly arisen from the public here ?”
by Barry, Clarendon Park
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:24PM
“I walk down New Walk almost every day and will be glad to see the end of the ugly disused 50's building that is due to become the site of the new City Gallery. The new building may not be perfect (and nothing will ever please everyone) but the white render matches the adjoining house and the new building would in line with the height of the row of buildings instead of the current low out of place building currently on the site.
The design for the new gallery does not exactly inspire me but it¿s not a ¿glass, steel and concrete box¿ as Ann Allsop states in the letter/article ¿New gallery must blend in¿ 4/8/09. I¿m not sure where this came from. The artist impression looks like is rendered similar the adjoining building and with out some windows it really would be an ugly box both inside and out. Everyone moaning about it is now saying it¿s ¿glass and steel¿ and it¿s clearly not!
It cannot be a coincidence that there is a by-election in Castle ward next week and the Conservatives are using this project as a political football to try and gain some votes. Their election leaflet that came through my door was entirely negative about everything (including the City Gallery), it¿s a pity that politicians in Leicester cannot be positive about anything and say what they ¿Will do¿ rather than what they wont. Only then will Leicester start to move forward and become the great city it (I believe) can.
The more projects like this are used as political footballs the more they end up costing us taxpayers, as the architects, builders and project managers have to keep re-designing again and again. Just leave the plans be. It¿ll never be perfect but I¿m sure it¿ll be much better than what is there now, it¿ll make a better site for the City Gallery with better facilities and so much better than the now half vacant Granby Street.”
by Jon, Leics
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:11PM
“Too true Phil. The only reason I would use New Walk is as a short-cut. I certainly wouldn't take a stroll down there for pleasure, or indeed use any of its parks. There is something still Victorian about New Walk and that is the rats scuttling up and down it. ”