UK Decay

[werewolf]

URGENT.....
Save the ‘33’ Centre building!!
25th July 2006 6pm gmt


For those that may be interested there is now very little time to
put in an objection to this dubious planning application.



Why object about the demolition of the old ‘33’ Art Centre building?

These are the main points for our objection…..

First, on the grounds that current planning application
(no: 06/00756/DEMCOM) to knock down the old building,
don’t include plans for what they want to replace it with!
Put simply there are no plans! This is in itself ‘most unusual’
in planning applications that concern conservation areas.

Secondly, the building is both an historic and cultural icon
within Luton’s ‘psyche’ and should be retained as such. It
should be renovated and used for a similar purpose
(an Arts/Cultural/Community/Coffee shop/workshops
/MusicVenue etc) to benefit the towns current growing
population.

Thirdly the demolition of the building will lead to growing
market pressure to build more high density flats on the space
which is in an area of conservation. In our opinion this area
of town is already too densely populated, and badly needs
community facillities


How can this be allowed to happen whilst Luton lacks a decent
alternative to the Councils run Hat Factory Arts centre?
The town needs community and workshop spaces, rehearsal
rooms, green rooms, meeting points etc etc. Many good
community uses could be viable for the old building too much
to begin to express here.

There are broader issues at foot here but the priority is to get
some objections to the planning department ASAP In fact
within the next couple of days (say by the 27th or 28th July 2006!!!)
We have got to put a halt to this application so we can have time to
think and put into play a sensible debate as to the potential future
of this important heritage. Before it is too late!!
The downside is that once the building is demolished you just know
that it will fall into the hands of dubious property developers who
will probably turn the site into yet more rabbit hutch flats or faceless
offices.

What can you do?

Well if you are quick, you could send in an objection to the planning
department..here

I B D Blackley
Development Control Manager
Planning Division
Town Hall
Luton
LU1 2BQ

or if you agree with our 3 points that were made earlier you could
print out and sign and address our pre-made objection
a DOC version is available here
right click and 'save as' or open with Word
and send it to this address..

I B D Blackley
Development Control Manager
Planning Division
Town Hall
Luton
LU1 2BQ


If you feel for the old place its time to Act Now!

W. W. for UK Decay Communities

IF WE CAN SAVE '33' FROM BEING DEMOLISHED WE CAN
START THE DEBATE AS TO WHAT FUTURE IT MAY HOLD!!

More info about the "33" Arts Centre can be found here


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[werewolf]

BTW/
I rang up the planning department today (Tuesday 25th July 4pm)

He said that although the expiry date for objections has past
there is still a couple of days left to get any objection in!

I would suggest that if you want to object that you get on the case
as soon as! perhaps if possible even take your application into the
Town Hall and hand it in!

Thanks
W. W.
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[Dharma Sister]

Come on let's save the character and small business livelihood of our town! We need to have a broader vision and take action to prevent Luton from becoming sucked into the money making schemes of home proprty developers. The building could be renovated and used for arts projects, workshops, small businesses - give the little guy a chance to stand alongside the corporate giants!
_________________
May you be well, May you be Happy, may you be free from suffering!
Natty Detox ♥

www.myspace.com/djdetox

[D]

No doubt I'll get into trouble for saying so but I couldn't care less about small businesses which to my mind are wannabe big businesses anyway and can be just as ruthless in the way they treat their workers. However, I suppose times are desperate enough that anything that gets in the way of the multinationals can feel like progress.

I'll probably get into more trouble now for adding that I have mixed feelings about "33". I always found it very clique like and exclusive from the outside, very precious. At the same time I found most of the people who worked there, to be very nice, helpful and with a refreshing optimism that what they were doing in terms of art and music and culture and about creating aan alternative to the drabness of 80's Thatcherism and the depressing realities of life on the dole. Another thing in its favour was the fact that the local Tory council (stuffed with small businessmen) hated it so much: 33 put on gigs and plays and readings by artists who had a different vision of the world to the Tories who despised it for that, looking for any possible excuse to cut funding and support. The people who ran 33 knew that and stood up to them as far as they felt they could.

Politically, it was a mixed bag, as indeed it should have been. Some felt that the centre, despite its dependence on council funds and tiny spaces was better than nothing and one should avoid upsetting the council too much for fear that it would be shut down; others felt that "alternative" culture alone was never going to be enough to stop what the Tories had planned.

I remember working on a Community Programme based there at the end of the 80's and producing a poster design of a guitarist disguised with a mask, hat and goggles (not very original but attention grabbing for a Guitar Workship) only for the Team Leader to ban it because, "The Council might think it looks like a terrorist". Censorship for fear of the censors; the need to appear respectable and respectful of the people who pulled the strings and held the funds.

And I remember, as the Project was ending, an undignified scramble by the Team Leader and some of the participants when they heard that the Project could be extended but with fewer people kept on: loads of backstabbing and written warnings flying about, one of which was given to me. I got out of it and went to work in London instead.

And yet, when I've been past the building, I've been sad to see it all closed up and to hear now it's going to be knocked down. Then again, what made 33 so important was the lack of decent alternatives in Luton at the time - are still things still as desperate as they were?

[Chriss]

Letter received about ten minutes ago reads:

Dear Mr CJ Randall & Anna Rosenberg

Proposal: Demolition of building within a conservation area.
Location: 33 Guilford Street, Luton.

I refer to the above application received on 26th May 2006.

The application has now been withdrawn from the planning worklist, therefore no further action will be taken.

Yours sincerely

IBD Blackley


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There are times when I am quietly impressed by my powers of forgetfullness.