into a ‘dynamic urban space’ with a ‘unified, uncluttered look’ is to start in
January. This work will include the planting of ‘new trees selected for their
seasonal variation.’ What the public relations consultant hired to produce
these thrilling words failed to mention was that the changes would also involve
the chopping down of all existing mature trees, an end to the grassy areas and
flowers, and the removal of the gravestones that provide a last link with the
lost church of St. Peter le Bailey. All these will be replaced by a barren
sandstone pavement (undoubtedly soon to be pock-marked with chewing gum) edged
by a few new and small trees. Am I alone in finding this a very unappealing
prospect?
Walking or cycling up St Ebbe's each morning I see the understated beauty of
the tall trees and Tirah Memorial against the background of the old stone wall
of 1, New Inn Hall Street. A good picture showing the memorial in summer with a
tree in full leaf can be seen here –
http://www.headington.org.uk/oxon/streets/war_memorials/tirah_memorial.htm
What can also be seen is the bare dusty earth, which turns to mud in winter.
This is a direct result of shameful and deliberate neglect by the City Council
in recent years. The locals and young people from all over the world relaxing
in the shade of the trees and sitting on the old churchyard wall I saw last
summer did so in spite of, not because of, the efforts of the local authority.
All Bonn Square needs, and has ever needed, is a gardener, the occasional visit
of a man with a broom and a few benches. But no, what could again be a green
oasis in the heart of the city is to be swept away in favour of bland Euro
design that would be just as at home in Bratislava or Bremen.
Another troubling aspect of the proposed scheme is money. An Oxford Times
report of 17/10/2007 indicated a £400,000 funding shortfall that the City
Council must raise. This at a time when we are repeatedly told that there is a
multi-million pound hole in the council’s budget, and in a year when many
children’s playgrounds are threatened with closure due to lack of money. Should
now be the time for the City Council to be funding such a money burning scheme?
I understand that planning permission for the Bonn Square project was gained in
2006. But is it really too late to prevent what ultimately amounts to little
more than an act of environmental and historical vandalism?