More than skin deep
Alan Clawley fears that John Madin’s legacy is being obliterated from Birmingham’s architectural heritage
Trees, buses and vistas – Welcome to Paradise
Alan Clawley has spotted that plans for the redevelopment of Birmingham’s Paradise Circus seem to be lacking something.
Thomas Vale selected as joint venture partner for Birmingham Science Park’s £35 million Digital Plaza
Birmingham City Council-owned Birmingham Science Park has selected Stourport-on-Severn based Thomas Vale Construction as the joint venture partner for its £35 million Digital Plaza development.
New U: How good old buildings survive
“Given an owner who is minded to do so, any sound building can be adapted to a new use”, writes Alan Clawley. Here are some examples.
Midlands leads the UK in job creation from foreign investment
The Midlands created more employment from foreign direct investment (FDI) than any other region in the UK 2011, according to Ernst & Young’s latest UK Attractiveness Survey.
New use for Birmingham’s Central Library
Alan Clawley with the background story of Birmingham’s Central Library building, proposals for its retention and details of a new petition to save it.
Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan On Tour
The Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan is Going on public display.
Not dead yet, Paul – Saving Birmingham Library
Alan Clawley, on the warpath to save the John Madin designed library in Birmingham, is suspicious of the language being bandied about by journalists and politicians.
Contracts signed for Selly Oak homes development
Contracts have been signed on an exciting new development of high quality, contemporary canal side homes in Selly Oak, Birmingham.
Capsule to Curate Library Opening Season
Local promoters Capsule have announced their involvement with the Library of Birmingham.
Birmingham housing development wins top award
A major housing and regeneration project in the heart of Newtown, Birmingham has been recognised with a prestigious Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for the West Midlands.
Preferred contractors announced for the new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry
A shortlist of two preferred contractors has been drawn up to work with partners on the proposed new Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry.
Moseley Road baths on target to re-open mid-April
A progress report on the saga of the Moseley Road Baths restoration.
Spinning professionals
Alan Clawley is learning to manage the disappointments his dealings with Birmingham City Council engender.
Runway and road contractors announced
VolkerFitzpatrick and Colas named preferred joint venture contractors for the A45 Transport Corridor Improvement Scheme and the Runway Extension at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham’s future revealed at MIPIM
With MIPIM 2012 now over, civic and business leaders from across the city are unanimous about the success of this year’s event.
It’s MIPIM time again
Alan Clawley just wants clarity. But can he get it?
Gambles – must do better
Alan Clawley has some questions for Birmingham’s Central Library Chief Officer, Brian Gambles
Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill
“His findings are a challenge to officialdom but they are presented with the calm authority of the academic requesting that his thesis be given fair consideration”
Celebrating Stirchley’s Hazelwell Lane
Join the people of Stirchley in a celebratory walk and laying of floral tributes commemorating the life of a once vibrant street.
Birmingham: Drowning in strategies
Alan Clawley thinks It’s sometimes hard to believe, but, somewhere in the bowels of the City Council, our great city is being planned.
Stirchley: Hazelwell Lane In Memoriam
Celebrating the life of a once vibrant lane, soon to be lost due to development.
The threat of retail development schemes to smaller retailers
This year Coventry is set to have a number of large scale retail development schemes; putting pressure on smaller retailers
BAFTA? Birmingham? Library? Games?
Birmingham City Council has announced the name of the game developer to collaborate on an innovative new gaming experience for the Library of Birmingham
That’s close enough!
Supporters of the high-speed railway line are keen to bring London closer to Birmingham but Alan Clawley argues that it’s already close enough.
Artworks celebrate Stirchley’s history
Artworks celebrate Stirchley’s history and point to the making of new prosperity : January – April 2012
BBC and Birmingham; the BBC responds
BBC Director General Mark Thompson has responded to Yardley MP John Hemming’s letter
Celebrate Stirchley with Stirchley Prospects
Stirchley, south Birmingham, is a primarily residential area with a declining shopping street – but change is on the way
BBC: A letter from Yardley
John Hemming has written to the BBC Director General to try to discover what the future holds for the links between the BBC and Birmingham.
Why borrow?
Alan Clawley asks; “How wise then was it for the Council to borrow money on a public library, a statutory service that would produce little or no income stream…”