{"id":4951,"date":"2022-12-09T18:30:57","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T18:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk\/?p=4951"},"modified":"2023-01-31T20:43:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T20:43:26","slug":"save-smallbrook-ringway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk\/save-smallbrook-ringway\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Smallbrook Ringway!<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Zero carbon house has teamed up with Brutiful Birmingham<\/a>, The Modernist<\/a>, and The Twentieth Century Society<\/a> to advocate retrofit for a very special building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ringway Centre, by James Roberts (1962), on Smallbrook Queensway is one of the few Brutalist buildings left in the City. Importantly it demonstrates the unique Birmingham Brutalist style developed here in the 1960s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A planning application has been lodged which would demolish the entire building, and replace it with flats up to 55 stories high.  The Twentieth Century Society is highlighting the national importance of the Ringway building.  The Guardian describes it as \u201cone of [Birmingham\u2019s] most important buildings\u201d, and by saving it \u201cthe city could become a model of creative post-war conservation\u201d. At this time of climate emergency, it is widely-recognised best practice to retain and reuse our existing buildings, as the hidden \u201cembodied carbon\u201d in construction can be up to 75% of the complete carbon footprint.  The environmental (carbon) cost of keeping the building and retrofitting to a low-energy standard, would likely be a small fraction of the demolition and energy-hungry proposal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you oppose the demolition of this building, and are concerned about architectural and urban design, heritage, and environmental & social sustainability, we would be really grateful if you could find a few minutes to object to the planning application that has been lodged. You have until 22 December 2022.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How you can help save Smallbrook Ringway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Write directly to Birmingham City Council at planningandregenerationenquiries@birmingham.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The planning application: REF 2022\/08496\/PA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A template letter and supporting documents are below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n