Unfortunately, the significant number of people who protested against the demolition of the bus station seem to be outweighed by those Derbeians who want a new one or don't care. The bus station had been neglected for years, so unsurprisingly looked a bit tatty. Hence a new one's got to be better, hasn't it? Well no, probably not, actually - even operationally, as the buses will now have to reverse out of the stands instead of simply driving through - never mind the architectural loss.
The council has gone on to provoke accusations of incompetence by closing the bus station and cutting off the services (water, electricity), before extracting a bond from the developer, who then had to pull out. So the bus station is closed, buses have to stop on the roads instead, passengers are glad it's been a dry winter, and there's no clear sign of the old bus station re-opening or a new one being built!
Of course, the planned demolition of the bus station is nothing compared to some highlights of Derby's history of architectural crime, e.g. demolition of St. Alkmund's church and the Georgian square beside it to make way for the inner ring road (which they are now starting to finish).
Oh I know I know - Ela at SAVE and I have just been talking about it all! A great telephone grumble!
It's always the case - allow the building to fall into disrepair and instead of enforcing (in the case of a private owner) or actually doing the job they should be doing in keeping the buildings clean and in repair (in the case of a local authority) then it's so much easier to let 'public opinion' hold sway - get rid of it it's a dump/eyesore/not up to the job etc etc. See Easington Colliery School - listed II which has been given demo permission. It's an eyesore because it's been allowed to become one by the owner who wants the site value (Public Inquiry...)
'Community benefit' covers a multitude of sins of course.
Currently I'm trying not to allow Hexham Workhouse to be demolished... yes a hospital NHS site. Do a google. I haven't time to find the link but there is some history and pics available. 1839 with Vic additions. Despite being in the CA it's pencilled in for demo and 'low cost housisng' - which of course it could convert to easily.
Hospitals are something SAVE is very incensed about - see again - the DCMS CSC Inquiry!
Severalls! Now TWO fires on the unprotected site!
It's fingers in the dyke time again though. Philistine hordes continue to beat at the walls etc.
At least the scene in the last photo - St. Mary's Bridge Chapel - remains pretty much the same today. Quite an important chapel, that.
Incidentally, St. Alkmund's was apparently known as the Church of Spite. The CoE were a bit upset that the RCs had built St. Mary's (Pugin's first church) quite close to All Saint's Parish Church (now the Cathedral), and on slightly higher ground so the steeple almost reaches the height of All Saint's mediaeval tower. So St. Alkmund's was built, on the site of a ruin, to block the view of St. Mary's from All Saint's. How ecumenical!
It may be that this can be added at the very last moment (it's due at the printers next week) to the SAVE Buildings at Risk annual book compilation.
I think the 20th c Soc has some pics which can be used - Mike, if you have any up to date info about this it would be great if you can call Ela at SAVE Monday morning...
I'm not hugely au fait with the details. I would suggest a look at the Derby HEART website (protest group against a number of developments) - look for the Riverlights project, which encompasses demolition of the bus station. The link below may or may not work.
Lots of other stuff on this, but probably not very up to date. My particular gripe is Connecting Derby Phase 3B, especially conservation area consent DER/07/04/1383 Demolition of 40 West Avenue and nearby garden walls (Five Lamps). See my previous posting! (One end of beautiful Vic crescent.)
Also a search of the Derby Evening Telegraph on http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk should bring up some of the Riverlights controversy.
More up to date stuff on http://www.derbygripe.co.uk/riverb.htm. This also has info on St. Helen's House (Grade 1 listed and on EH's Buildings At Risk Register - affected by Connecting Derby Phase 3B), Elvaston Castle, Connecting Derby in general, etc.
More stuff on Derby FoE (the protestor in the caravan) at http://beehive.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=8497&PageID=57730. Lots of photos, but from the top of the bus station, so you can't see much of it!