ATV Studios: A letter to Birmingham City Council
John West, a campaigner for local jobs in the media, has sent an open letter to Andrew Round – Birmingham Council’s Planning and Development Manager
A library is not just a building
Friends of the Central Library: “Save the building but we’re just as worried about what is happening to the service itself”, writes Alan Clawley.
Delivering Quality First
Some old words of BBC director-general Mark Thompson may come back to haunt him, notes Dave Woodhall.
Moseley Bog’s a winner
Ent wives may still be hard to find but Tolkien’s playground has benefited from a cash donation
Advantage West Midlands under fire over toxic Walsall site
A public agency refused to reveal levels of pollution on one of the most contaminated sites in Europe – fearing it might halt plans for opencast coal mining.
Look into The Cube
Birmingham’s latest ‘landmark’ destination, The Cube, will host a VIP open weekend
Birmingham’s John Madin designed library: Demolishing arguments
Alan Clawley continues to rebut the critics of the Birmingham Central Library that architect John Madin designed.
Birmingham Central Library now listed
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has included Birmingham Central Library in its 2012 Watch List
Talk commemorates re-opening of historic Woodcock Street Swimming Baths
To mark the re-opening of Woodcock Sports Centre following a £5m refurbishment and renovation, the University of Aston is presenting an illustrated talk
Graduate & Youth Opportunities for Business Project
Creating business opportunities for young people in Birmingham
Tower envy in the city
Alan Clawley writes in defence of architect John Madin
Cleaning up in Walsall
‘New’ jobs might be created, but at what cost? wonders The Mushroom
Laying the blame II
Alan Clawley writes,”…. they are invariably inflamed by economic disadvantage and gross inequality”
Poisoned legacy seeps out
If I was to offer you a glass of water saying; “Incidentally it’s poisoned……
Retirement Village to Spring Up
Plans for the former Lucas site in Acocks Green have been revealed.
The Master Planners
The Master Planner’s plans are oft foiled by circumstances beyond their control. Birmingham has suffered as a result.
Birmingham Youngsters “We Want To Swim” Demo
As the six-week school summer holidays start a group of frustrated parents and children descended on Moseley Road
Sparkhill Baths redevelopment: Public meeting
A public meeting to detail progress and gauge opinion on the redevelopment of Sparkhill Baths takes place next Tuesday
‘Connectivity’ in Birmingham
The ‘connectivity’ argument will be exposed as the latest attempt by the council to justify the sacrifice of a sound and useful building, writes Alan Clawley
Enterprise Zone no help
The idea of giving business a helping hand to redevelop Paradise Circus by making it part of an ‘Enterprise Zone’ seems to have fallen flat, writes Alan Clawley
Paradise lost?
Alan Clawley raises questions concerning the redevelopment plans for Birmingham’s Paradise Circus
Bodies in the Library: time’s ticking
“…all the more reason to take the chance and have a wander round Architect John Madin’s radical design.”
Success for Big Build
Work has begun on a new Marie Curie hospice in Solihull, thanks to a recent charity appeal.
Birmingham City Council come clean on plans for the Martineau Centre
Birmingham City Council’s plans to sell off a much loved local community facility are at an advanced stage
Building the West Midlands’ low carbon economy
“Houses that sweat, chimneys that soak up heat, and solar power systems for cloudy climates – as the housing industry gets back on its feet, there are terrific opportunities in green technology”
‘Handouts’ or ‘Investments’
Alan Clawley writes… ‘Surely state financial support should be used to underpin social and environmental objectives not to subsidise wealthy corporations’
The Cube offers exclusive sneak preview
The Cube will host an exclusive first-look event to launch its second phase of new apartments
Launch of new music, culture and learning centre in Digbeth
Birmingham’s Eastside became a melting pot of creativity earlier this month with the much anticipated launch of the city’s newest multi-purpose music studios, education and training venue
Dental school move
“They only have to label the old building ‘Not fit for the 21st Century’, mention ‘asbestos’, ‘concrete cancer’, or bad plumbing, to win public sympathy…”
Jobs Boost for the Region
There’s been a lot of good news for employment prospects in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.