Park folly

Published: 1 July, 2011

• IN response to Tom Ball’s letter (Still time to stop this folly, June 24) it may be worth reminding people that the council’s decision to grant permission for this Bomber Command (BC) memorial was contrary to officers’ recommen­dation; and that, as a member of the planning sub-committee, I voted to refuse the application on design grounds. 

I did this reluctantly, since the courage of BC should be recognised – their bravery is not in doubt. But what BC was required to do was not unproblematic. Six decades and more have passed and painstaking, painful, reconciliations have, thankfully, taken place. The design of the structure in today’s context, is inappropriately over-bearing and heavily incongruous in the context of Green Park. 

Philip Jackson’s sculpture which is to stand inside the structure might, on its own, be a fitting tribute but not if it is surrounded by this heavy-handed offering.

CLLR RUTH BUSH
Labour, Harrow Road ward