MP says design of town's new court building is appalling
March 30, 2009 12:00 AM
Colchester MP Bob Russell has described the proposed design of a new court building in Colchester as "appalling" - adding: "If built, it will be the worst looking new building in the town. It is out-of-scale and out-of-keeping. It needs to be rejected, and Her Majesty's Court Service instructed to come up with a design which is appropriate for the character of Britain's Oldest Recorded Town."
Mr Russell - who has campaigned for a new court house in Colchester - said he was bitterly disappointed with the design, which went on public display on Friday and Saturday.
The new court building is planned for the car park at Colchester Town Railway Station, facing St Botolph's Circus. It will have five courts and will replace those at the Town Hall which do not comply with modern requirements.
Outline planning permission has already been granted. HM Court Service will shortly be seeking detailed permission with the aim of starting work later this year and for the new courts operating from Spring 2012.
Mr Russell said that he could best describe the design as "a Lego box which would not even be acceptable in down-town Basildon, and certainly not acceptable in a prominent position in Colchester."
He added that he did not blame the architect, but rather those who had set the brief which clearly had totally ignored the fact that the proposed building would damage the setting of the Listed station building and would be visually damaging to the adjacent Conservation Area.
The need for a new court house in the town has been pursued by Mr Russell at Parliamentary level for several years. He is critical of the time it has taken for the Government to come forward with firm proposals; on one occasion in the House of Commons he described the combined total of the numerous delays as being the same as the duration of the two World Wars.
Today Mr Russell said: "While I am delighted that at long last the Government, through HM Court Service, has now come forward with proposals for a new court house in Colchester, I have to say that I am bitterly disappointed at the design.
"Frankly, it is appalling. It is clear that there has been no discussion with Borough Councillors because I am confident that not one of them will think the design is one which is suitable for Colchester."
HM Court Service held a two-day public display in the former ShoeWorld shop in Queen Street on Friday and Saturday, although Mr Russell said that when he visited during the final hour on Saturday he was told fewer than
30 people had attended.
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