LAST week Confidential expressed it's concern over the imposition of a glass link building and gates on one of the most distinctive thoroughfares in the city, namely Library Walk.
Since the original plans were put forward, considerable thought has been given to how we can best achieve this and we have reached the conclusion that a link building is essential to enable direct, easy flow between the two buildings.
The response from readers was overwhelming.
People were shocked that seemingly from nowhere a planning application had been delivered that compromised a place of beauty in Manchester city centre.
At the same time a facebook group has been active in campaigning against the scheme - indeed it was the organiser who alerted Manchester Confidential to the application.
You can read our article here, and find the facebook group here.
We asked the council why had the application for the 'glass link' appeared so late given we're eighteen months into the project and the same timescale away from completion?
One of the main points of the proposals seen in the 2010 public exhibition was that the two buildings of the Town Hall Extension and Central Library would retain their present appearance externally but be linked by a wide undercroft beneath Library Walk. This would allow people to cross between the buildings in greater numbers and under cover.
We also asked why was the 'glass link' needed at all? If entrances were required then why not propose simply opening them out from the buildings without the need for the new blocking features?
We also asked when the planning committee would be sitting to approve (or not) these plans.
The answer to the latter is an unspecified date in July.
This is the official response we received to the other two questions.
'The transformation of Central Library and the Town Hall Extension is preserving both buildings for future generations while enabling them to deliver radically improved services. One crucial aspect of this is the vision of the two buildings as a single complex, with services more integrated across them. It is estimated that up to a million visitors a year will cross between the buildings once they have re-opened and we need to make this movement as quick and simple as possible for them.
'Since the original plans were put forward, considerable thought has been given to how we can best achieve this and we have reached the conclusion that a link building is essential to enable direct, easy flow between the two buildings.
'The principle of a link building was referred to in the public exhibition on the St Peter's Square international design competition but the detailed design was a separate commission which is why it is being brought forward now. The planning application will be considered later this summer and as always we welcome and will take into account the views of interested parties.
'We believe the link will breathe new life into this space - transforming it from an underused shortcut into a welcoming public space while creating a new entrance linking Central Library and the town hall extension. The new structure will complement the historic buildings it connects while maintaining the distinctive curved form of Library Walk and creating a new Manchester landmark. Views along the length of Library Walk would be retained,
'Library Walk will remain open to the public 16 hours a day, between 6am and 10pm, and it was very rarely used outside these hours. These proposals will promote access to Library Walk rather than inhibiting it.'
Does that answer the questions?
Maybe.
A bit.
Confidential wishes that the council would stop calling Library Walk 'underused' - it makes no sense. It was used all the time, and relentlessly, by people moving between St Peter's Square and Mount Street. And by tour guides, architectural students and lovers of fine things.
We've decided to ask two more questions.
How much will all the works in the planning application for the 'glass link' cost? That's the glass feature itself, the gates, the long ramps to the new entrance and so on.
Also we've asked how much did HOK International 'earn' from their selective and partial Heritage Statement?
