CITYSCAPE 7

CONTROVERSY
Derby City Council looks set, once again, to cause controversy by setting its own agenda, this time over the sighting of Quad, despite objections by various bodies and members of the public. In my opinion, the city council has set itself a number of conundrums by its intended proposals.

Of these, the most important are: how will Quad be built and, more specifically, how will it be funded? Capital expenditure approaching Ł10m for the building has been talked about. But there is never a whisper of annual charges for running costs and maintenance, as well as the possible charges on borrowed capital.

On a Ł10m building, you might expect these annual charges to approach Ł1m. Essential background, such as an audited business plan covering the next five years in detail and a further five years in outline, has not been mentioned, let alone published.

If they locate Quad on the site of the Sir Peter Hilton Memorial Garden which, a few years back, was just a big hole in the ground, costs of constructing foundations and other services in the ground will far exceed normal construction estimates.

Any honest accounting procedure would also add the cost of creating the memorial garden. Have all these aspects been taken into account, or is the poor old taxpayer going to be further burdened by ill-considered council financial decisions?

I do understand and agree with the importance of constructing a purpose built arts centre. But if the present trend continues, the local authority will be looking to sell the site within five years at a vast profit to a trust or, even worst, a developer.

A good alternative would be the present site of the Princes Discount Store. Not only would the Hilton Memorial Garden survive, along with the view of the Grade II-listed Market Hall, but the proposed centre would be in the correct place - opposite the main museum and leaving room for expansion. Tony Dunn

DERBY CITYSCAPE

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Strand Arcade Plans have been drawn up to create Derby's answer to The Shambles, one of York's best-known tourist attractions. Derby is now set to get its own tourist shopping alley complex in the largely hidden area behind buildings in St Mary's Gate and Sadler Gate. With its niche shops, cafes and bars, it is hoped it will generate the same sort of bustling tourist attraction that is associated with The Shambles.

It would be built partly on the site of Middleton House, one of the city council's social services buildings in St Mary's Gate, which is set to be vacated in the event of the authority moving to purpose-built offices in Duckworth Square. It would also include the former Bold Lane Magistrates' Court and neighbouring Prince's supermarket, which is owned by urban regeneration company Derby Cityscape. The proposal is part of the Derby Cityscape masterplan.

John Cadwallader, chief executive of Cityscape, said, "It's an extension to the boutique-style shopping experience of Sadler Gate. The new Eagle Centre will encourage people to the south end of the city, which is why we want to bolster the north end of town. A Shambles-type area will create activity along Victoria Street to compensate for the loss of Debenhams." The Cityscape masterplan proposes around 120 new homes will be built above the new bars and shops, improving the 24-hour security of the area. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Ex-serviceman are furious at proposals to move the cenotaph from Derby's Market Place. The proposal has led former members of the armed services to label the council a "disgrace" and warn the authority to expect a fight. It follows news that the Sir Peter Hilton Memorial Garden and the nearby Korean War Memorial are set to be relocated to make way for Quad, the city's Ł9.8m visual arts centre.

The council is proposing to combine the garden and memorials in one place, possibly next to Derby Cathedral, near the top of Amen Alley. One reason for moving the cenotaph, according to the council, is due to the "lack of respect" it gets in its current setting. But Roy McGahey, of Spondon, memorial officer for the Derby and District branch of the British Korean Veterans Association, said, "Words fail me. If they want to 'tidy up' the Market Place, they could have had the common decency to wait until we were dead. We'll fight this proposal to our dying breath."

Harry Mycroft, of Spinney Road, Chaddesden, chairman of the Burma Star Association, said, "I'm not prepared to sit back and let it happen. I'm sure the council will have a fight on its hands. Little old ladies look upon that cenotaph as their loved one's grave." He said the suggested site next to the Cathedral was too remote and would not accommodate remembrance parades. Richard Bannister, of Gilbert Street, Alvaston, is a Royal Navy veteran and chairman of the Derby and District Ex-Service Association He said he would reserve judgement on the cenotaph proposals to await further discussions.

But Harold Cox, chairman of the Southern Derbyshire Pensioners' Association and veteran of the Royal Army Medical Corps, has offered his full support to the protesters. He said, "It's a disgrace and is certainly not fair to elderly people who fought for their country." The cenotaph was dedicated on November 11, 1924, initially for the victims of the First World War. Plaques have since been added for those killed in the Second World War and in conflicts since 1945.

When the Market Place was revamped in the 1960s, the cenotaph was moved several feet from its original site. Council leader Maurice Burgess urged protesters to not approach the issue with "pre-conceived ideas". "I want everyone to have a broader look at things because we could end up with things being far better than they are now," he said. "No decisions have been made. We will discuss things with people to find out their views." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

A multi-million-pound riverside hotel and theatre complex is being considered for Derby. Derby Playhouse is looking at the possibility of relocating to a new landmark building on the north bank of the River Derwent. In addition to a new 750-seat auditorium and studio theatre for the Playhouse, the Ł30m-Ł40m project could include either a conference hall venue or a new performance venue for the Assembly Rooms. Derby City Council, which runs the Assembly Rooms, is considering converting the Market Place venue into a conference centre if it chooses to move its concerts and plays to the new complex.

The proposal forms part of the Derby Cityscape masterplan, a development blueprint for the city centre over the next 15 years, suggests a new performance arts venue should be built next to the river, partly on the site of Darwin Place car park. The circular A52 feeder road around the car park would be replaced by a simpler road layout, set further back from the river. The theatre complex would be part of a full-scale redevelopment of the north side of the river.

John Cadwallader, chief executive of Derby Cityscape, said, "Our aspiration is for a performing arts space on that side of the river. It's no secret Derby Playhouse would like to relocate and have a theatre capable of taking, in audience and performance size, the type of shows that come out of London and currently pass Derby by." Mr Cadwallader admitted that, of all the Cityscape proposals, the theatre complex would be the most challenging in terms of raising funds, and he envisaged it would take between five and 10 years to realise the ambition.

Michael Hall, Playhouse chairman, said the move was just one option the theatre was considering. Another option would be to build a balcony in its current auditorium in the Eagle Centre, increasing capacity from 530 to almost 700 seats. But Mr Hall said, "Clearly the site on the opposite side of the river is the most attractive. If we knew we could afford it, that would be the most desirable solution." He said it would rely on significant Arts Council funding.

Jonathan Guest, the council's director of development and cultural services, said it was too early to say if the authority would wish to be involved in the proposed performance arts venue. But he said the Arts Council had approved funding for a study into the future of performing arts and culture in the city, the cost of which he could not reveal. Cityscape plans for the north riverside also include a four-star hotel on the site of the Royal Standard pub, Derwent Street, and Exeter House, in Exeter Place, a council-owned block of flats. The masterplan also includes a 600-space multi-storey car park in Derwent Street and several office buildings, including a "landmark" five-to-eight-storey office complex behind the proposed theatre venue. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

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