LWW – Connections

Campaign responds to Corporation’s decision to demolish former Museum of London

November 10, 2023 David Wilcox

The City Corporation’s decision to go ahead with plans for a substantial office development on the site of the Museum of London has prompted a detailed response and challenge from the Barbican Quarter Action campaign opposing the plans. The Corporation invited and considered proposals from developers interested in retaining and repurposing the Museum buildings, and … Continue reading “Campaign responds to Corporation’s decision to demolish former Museum of London”

City explores repurposing Museum of London site

April 5, 2023November 3, 2023 David Wilcox

Update: the City’s Policy chief, Chris Hayward, has written to the Barbican Quarter Action campaign saying that the Corporation is going to proceed with a planning application, and aims to sell the site. I’m not sure what to make of the latest move by the City of London on the former Museum of London buildings … Continue reading “City explores repurposing Museum of London site”

Save the Museum building gets more support – now ideas needed on how to retrofit and refill

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 David Wilcox

Some 400 people packed St Giles Cripplegate earlier this week for the latest campaign meeting against proposed office development on the site of the now-closed Museum of London. Back story on the plans and campaign here. The Barbican Quarter Action campaign highlighted the decision of the Twentieth Century Society to put Bastion House and the … Continue reading “Save the Museum building gets more support – now ideas needed on how to retrofit and refill”

What can you do with an empty museum? Get creative

November 29, 2022January 13, 2023 David Wilcox

Update: the Barbican Quarter Action campaign is hosting a meeting for residents and neighbours at 7pm on Tuesday 17th January 2023 in St Giles Church, Cripplegate. The Barbican Association reports: “This meeting will focus on the arguments against demolition of the existing buildings and for their re-adaptation and repurposing. Joining the BQA Group will be … Continue reading “What can you do with an empty museum? Get creative”

City makes only minor changes to London Wall West scheme

October 23, 2022November 4, 2022 David Wilcox

Community Matters reports that the City Corporation is making some changes to the controversial London Wall West scheme for 780,000 sq ft of offices. Earlier posts here. “The City of London Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee has voted to reduce the size of proposals to redevelop Bastion House and the existing Museum of London site, … Continue reading “City makes only minor changes to London Wall West scheme”

Experts challenge City on London Wall West demolition

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022 David Wilcox

The Barbican Quarter Action campaign against the City’s plans for the Museum of London site has published an expert report robustly challenging the justification for demolition, and presented it to councillors. The City’s London Wall West scheme for 780,000 sq ft of offices involves demolishing the Museum building prior to its move to West Smithfield, … Continue reading “Experts challenge City on London Wall West demolition”

My EC1 Echo explainer on London Wall West, and update

August 12, 2022 David Wilcox

Here’s my article on London Wall West, published in the current edition of the EC1 Echo. It was finalised after the City’s Court of Common Council on July 21, but I didn’t have time or space to analyse discussion in detail. I’ve provided an update below. Text of the article There are two very different … Continue reading “My EC1 Echo explainer on London Wall West, and update”

London Starts Here could develop it’s own Destination City to engage supporters

July 14, 2022September 4, 2022 David Wilcox

London Starts Here is such a good name I hope that Barbican Quarter Action won’t mind if I suggest something that would benefit the campaign by picking up ideas from the City’s new recovery plan. The campaign points out that the City’s London Wall West office development seems out of line with its new Destination … Continue reading “London Starts Here could develop it’s own Destination City to engage supporters”

Keep up to date on the new Museum of London

July 8, 2022July 12, 2022 David Wilcox

The debate about London Wall West – current home of the Museum of London – has highlighted the Museum’s closure in December 2022. There’s pages about that on the Museum website, and a more detailed history and vision for the future here. Ian Mansfield, who runs the excellent IanVisits site about What’s on in London, … Continue reading “Keep up to date on the new Museum of London”

Curating coverage of the London Wall West debate

July 6, 2022July 8, 2022 David Wilcox

Proposals to develop the site currently occupied by the Museum of London have provoked strong opposition. I’ve used Wakelet to curate the first week’s campaign coverage and tweets. More in this earlier post about the Cash versus Culture discussion that has echoes from 50 years ago, when the Barbican Arts Centre was the focus. View … Continue reading “Curating coverage of the London Wall West debate”