Speer and the Bomber machine

Published: 17 December, 2010

• A SPOKESWOMAN for Bomber Command Association objects to an architect’s comment describing the style of the memorial as like the work of Hitler’s architect Albert Speer. 

While she may object, very many have said the same thing because of its overtones to some Berlin-style classicism and cannot be denied. 

It ill befits her to dismiss genuine criticism as “bad taste”. What is in bad taste is the whole of BCA’s monstrous promotion of this huge and devastating monument. 

They have provided no explanation why the monument has to be in the Green Park. The balance between destroying the unique environment and marring the whole park, against building the huge monument must be answered. I challenge the spokeswoman or anyone from the powerful Bomber machine to answer the question as to why their monument must be in the Green Park? 

The explanation that new trees will be planted, so we should not worry when nine trees which are old or in poor condition would be felled, shows just how deliberately misleading the Bomber machine is again. 

The natural habitats and biodiversity of the area will be deliberately and totally destroyed. That biodiversity cannot be recreated except through many years which allows breakdown and re-creation of habitats.  

An appropriate location for a memorial is in the vicinity of the National RAF memorial and those to Fighter Command and the Battle of Britain. 

That is the beginning and end of it. 

Just who do they think they are and by what right do they presume to be allowed to destroy the people’s legitimate heritage of this most unique of Royal Parks? 

The paper-thin legitimacy relies on three councillors’ decision in a committee meeting, the performance of which was highly questionable. 

Three persons setting aside Westminster City Council’s own planning policy stating no more memorials in the area.

TOM BALL 
Friends of the Green Park