Statue move to go ahead after consent granted (From Durham Times)

Statue move to go ahead after consent granted

1:39pm Friday 22nd January 2010

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THE decision to move the statue of Lord Londonderry across Durham Market Place will not be blocked by the Government.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, has given listed building consent for the “man on the horse’’ to be moved from the centre to the southern end of the square.

It is part of the £5.25m Heart of the City revamp of Market Place and surrounding streets by Durham City Vision and also includes relocation of the smaller Neptune statue from the square’s southern end to its north-east corner.

The Londonderry statue, which dates from 1861, is currently being repaired and refurbished by specialists.

Durham County Council gave planning permission in November – despite 6,000 people signing a protest petition and 4,000 joining a Facebook group opposing the relocations.

The decisions were referred to the Government Office for the West Midlands, which was chosen over that for the North-East for its impartiality, for final approval.

The office says in the decision letter that Durham County Council considers that moving the statues will create more space for events in Market Place, helping to regenerate the city and attract more visitors.

It says that Mr Denham recognises the strength of opposition but considers that there would not be sufficient harm from relocation to justify refusal.

Mr Denham looked at requests for a public inquiry into the applications but decided that all the issues had been considered already.

The letter also says that Mr Denham’s role is not to consider complaints about the council’s handling of the application and the public consultation it carried out.

The city’s 407th mayor, Dennis Southwell, who is also a Liberal Democrat Durham County councillor for Gilesgate, said: “I am very saddened by the decision, I expected better.’’ Coun Southwell, who had called for a public inquiry into the scheme, said: “Where is democracy, it is the death of democracy for Durham. We have had thousands of people who have signed petitions, we have approached the Secretary of State, and basically it has been set aside.

“The views of thousands of residents have been set aside. It is very sad for the people of Durham not being given the opportunity to challenge this decision.’’ Dr Douglas Pocock, secretary, of the City of Durham Trust, said: “My personal reaction is one of considerable disappointment. As far as I can see, the Secretary of State has just taken on face value what what was decided at County Hall.

from page one “The planners’ report was biased and merely asserted the benefits that would come from the scheme whereas Government policy requires that evidence is produced.

“The seriousness and legitimacy of the opposition has never been taken on board.’’ “We are consulting our solicitors to see if there is anything more that we can do.’’ The city’s Labour MP, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, said: “I am very disappointed, but not surprised, that the Government Office for the West Midlands didn’t call in the Market Place application.

As far as I know, GOWM have never called in such applications in the past.

“Even though the planning application was passed, I have been working, and will continue to work, with Durham County Council to make the Market Place scheme more acceptable by taking into account local people’s comments and concerns.

“For instance, I want to see more sandstone and less granite used in order to make it fit in better with its surroundings.

“I am also very keen to see if we can get a café in the Market Place which is something a lot of people, especially younger people, would like to see, in order to make the whole of the Market Place a more usable space.’’ The MP added that she would be discussing the scheme with the chairwoman of English Heritage.

“I don’t believe enough has been done to preserve and protect our heritage in this case and this needs to be addressed for the future.”

Durham City Vision chairman John Mowbray said the decision “ends the planning process and marks the start of a vital multi-million pound regeneration programme for Durham City centre.

“The Heart of the City project underpins that programme and will provide valuable space for national and local events and significantly improve current surfaces, signage and lighting.

“The project will make the city much more attractive to potential investors across retail, leisure and office sectors.

Durham needs this investment to compete with other towns and cities in the region for new employment opportunities.’’ Funding for the scheme is coming from the county council and regional development agency One North East.

Work is expected to start after Easter and will be phased to reduce disruption.

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