Tower Ballroom demolition response

RE: Proposed demolition of former Tower Ballroom, PA number: 2021/08775/PA

Dear all,

Whilst I welcome proper collaboration with Birmingham City Council to enhance my local area, I am concerned about the Council's current record of 'consultation' and ‘collaboration' with the local community regarding the reservoir, including more specifically the former Tower Ballroom site. For example, in reference to the demolition of the former Tower Ballroom:

1. What consultation or viability studies have you done to consider the multitude of different opportunities to repurpose the building? I support Birmingham City Council's ambitious carbon reduction targets (as noted here: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20015/environment/260/energy_and_carbon_reduction), so it seems like a clear own-goal for the council to decide to demolish a building to create new without at least exploring the options. Demolishing the building will release many tons of carbon emissions before a plan for the site following its demolition has even been set. In the 21st century with rampant climate change, this not only seems backward, but a clear dereliction of duty. Modern architects and studies consistently support the notion that we cannot simply keep 'starting again' with buildings; it is not sustainable, significantly impacts climate change and sends the wrong message to the next generations. If you want to meet your own council-published targets, it is clear that you must rethink the demolition.

2. What risk assessment(s) or study(ies) have you done into the impact upon aquatic wildlife, or wider risk assessments to the local community and how have these been communicated?

3. Linked to point 1, what evidence have you published or can you publish which reassures residents that the council should demolish the building for the greatest benefit of the surrounding community and future of the city?

4. I can see from Acivico's 'Proposed Works' document on the planning portal that access to the pathway will be maintained for 'Canal and River Trust in case of emergency' but there is no indication of how long the circuit around the Reservoir will be closed for the general public. Can you confirm how long it is predicted that this would be for?

5. I can see from the bat survey published on the planning portal that it says there is no evidence of bats roosting in the Tower Ballroom building, but this raises concern about the quality of the survey undertaken. To be more specific, there is no description (in words, or in the pictures) of any assessment of the overhang into the reservoir, which is where there is strong evidence that bats are indeed roosting. Lots of bats are sighted every evening there. Can you provide evidence that this part of the building has also been properly assessed?

6. Why was demolition announced only small paper notices requesting responses by letter only, with a very short response time? No email address on the notice, no QR code, no decent effort to ensure as many people as possible are made aware of the notice. We have surveyed reservoir users and found no one who knew about the proposed demolition. I hope this surely can't be the case, but it gives the impression that no one in BCC stopped to think of the awful 'us and them' impression this gives (i.e. 'us', the council, can do what we like, without caring about 'them', the public), fueling public belief in BCC's current inability to properly ENGAGE with its citizens. This, in many people's eyes, shows real contempt for the thousands of people who benefit from the Reservoir, especially for those residents and users with whom the Council is currently in discussion with about its long-term future. This isn't an isolated example: Druid's Heath is another, and it is devastatingly unfortunate that this list could be extremely long...

Given the 21-day time frame given for responses to the notice of demolition, I would really appreciate answers to these questions within an equal time frame. As I'm sure you're aware, the Tower Ballroom building is one which is very emotive for many people across Birmingham, so I look forward to hearing your responses soon.

Kind regards