Maybe but it’s easy to vent like this after the event. As the saying goes the critic knows the way but can’t drive the car. Plus you get the feeling he’s really enjoying sticking the boot in.
Maybe. But there was plenty of opposition to the likes of Mann Island or the Lime Street travesty at the time, including from myself, and not from a position of NIMBYism either. It was clear to anyone that designs were getting pushed through that simply had no buisiness being in such prominent locations.
There is ways of developing that not only are in keeping in with the surrounding enviroment (and that doesn´t mean trying to replicate Victorian designs either) - but that show some basic vision that isn´t "shiny buildings = good", all while maintaining the unique character of the city, which is what draws people in. You don´t exactly need to be an architect or town planner to see it either.
For an example of a modern development on an old building that I think is done well, I would point to Chancery House as one example (others may disagree of course):
I don´t think anyone at all is arguing that the docklands should be kept a useless derelict wasteland that no one has reason to visit, just to maintain UNESCO status. But there is ways of developing in a reasonable manner that fits in with the surroundings and is more unique and you don´t need 20/20 vision to see it.
Living in Barcelona now, I see how new buildings can and should be done. They make British planning approval look an absolute joke. And whats more, our last administration in Liverpool and their developer mates have not even been abiding by planning approval.
And to top it all off, it is not even just what has been going up, it is what has been getting pulled down to make way for some of these developments. The city has lost some key cultural gems. The development in Wolstenholme Square is a good example. Cream and the Kazimier got knocked down to make way for some bog standard modern-apartments.
Cream got most of the attention because of its history - but it was past its heydey. What got less attention was The Kazimier which was still one of the best venues in the entire country bar none, that drew people from all over to visit, and bands and artists from all over the world. It had a thriving scene of local bands and artists to match. It was an indispensible cultural asset for the city. They had even just expanded into an adjecent old Victorian warehouse in the 3 months before the planning permission was granted to the flats.
Not only did they have to make way for the flats, but in the process an old Victorian clock face closer to what was Mello Mello was knocked down without planning permission. Furthermore, the ´sweetener´for the Kazimier was thta they got to keep Kazimier Gardens open. But now Kazimier Gardens (an outdoor venue) is surrounded by apartments putting in noise complaints and threatening it with closure. Same story with venues in the Baltic Triangle.
Oliver Wainwright may be sticking the boot in, but quite frankly it´s deserved. What has happened the last 10 years has been disgraceful on many fronts.
Unfortunately it is now too late
