I have just looked at the plans to redevelop Broadmarsh (available to see in the Development Dept in the council house). while the new structure will be a (slight) visual improvement on the existing shopping centre there are a number of issues that the council and public should be aware of.
i ) As far as I can tell the building will not be in any way "green" using the usual mix of steel and concrete.
ii) Will peak oil cause a recession leaving us with an edifice of empty units.
iii) Do we want to encourage more consumerism which causes climate change.
iv) Is there not a better way to use "public space" in the city centre, how about a new park, or something thats designed to improve peoples quality of life.
v) Will the development reduce car use and increase the use of public transport. I get the impression that it will incorporate the tram, building a new stop between lace market and station street, and the bus station is being moved but there seems to be a lot of carparking included in the design.
Remember you'll have to live with it during and after construction!
i ) As far as I can tell the building will not be in any way "green" using the usual mix of steel and concrete.
ii) Will peak oil cause a recession leaving us with an edifice of empty units.
iii) Do we want to encourage more consumerism which causes climate change.
iv) Is there not a better way to use "public space" in the city centre, how about a new park, or something thats designed to improve peoples quality of life.
v) Will the development reduce car use and increase the use of public transport. I get the impression that it will incorporate the tram, building a new stop between lace market and station street, and the bus station is being moved but there seems to be a lot of carparking included in the design.
Remember you'll have to live with it during and after construction!
Less public space too I bet
16.04.2007 18:14
Noggin
Losing more public space?
16.04.2007 18:18
Gulliver
more details
16.04.2007 21:45
the full details are to be found by following the link below
neckie
No to Broadening Marsh Centre
16.04.2007 22:09
'Enlargement of the shopping centre from its current size of 42,000sq m of gross lettable floorspace to 120,300 sq m, arranged in individual blocks on three main trading levels. It includes two department stores, a supermarket, shop units, financial and professional services, a food court, leisure uses and restaurants'............JEEZUS, double the shops, WHY? The city Council boast that they are now adopting 'The Merton Rule' on all new developments but how will 10% of the energy for this monster be from renewable energy.
Keep your eyes peeled for the sustainability bit though as you might miss it:
'During construction the developers are aiming to reduce the consumption of materials re-using where possible. It is the intention to select materials with a low environmental impact, such as low embodied energy where appropriate. Materials that are demonstrated to be harvested from certified sustainable sources are also proposed be used where feasible.'.....'where feasible' translates to whatever's cheapest!
Another worry is 'Consideration is being given to the use of a Combined Heat and Power plant to satisfy primary heating loads.' (Eastcroft then or are they planning to build a new incinerator??)
Stop Consuming, Start Living
No comment
17.04.2007 08:12
V
Time to act?
17.04.2007 09:21
n-activist
Looks good to me!
12.07.2007 11:07
we can all use and enjoy this center. if you got a problem with this, go back to the countryside and pick some daisys you hippy!!! no one wants a complainer! and anyway, the plans have been approved, so theres nothing you can do about it!! :-D
maybe westfield can take over neckie's home, then we'd all be happy!
stevo