Campaigners vow to BLOCK £50m Holocaust memorial near Parliament

Political reporter(wp/es):

Campaigners have pledged to block a £50 million national Holocaust memorial from being built next to Parliament.

Skyline Campaign activists revealed talks had taken place with the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation over an idea to shift the planned monument and learning centre from Victoria Tower Gardens.

The group, which fights to prevent development of “badly designed tall buildings” in London, claim the plans are unsuitable for one of the capital’s most treasured spots.

Barbara Weiss, from the Skyline Campaign, said: “This is nothing against a memorial or learning centre to educate people about the Holocaust, it is about protecting one of London’s most beautiful assets.

“If it was a school or art gallery our position would be the same. Parks should not be built on. 

“We have had civilised conversations with the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and we are trying to dissuade them.

“There are a growing number of people who are backing us and in my experience if you get enough traction people do tend to listen.”

Campaigners said better options are available for the tribute and urged authorities to consider College Green behind Westminster Abbey as an alternative.

An online petition calling for a stop to any building work in Victoria Tower Gardens passed 150 signatures since it was launched by the group two weeks ago. 

Campaigners previously challenged construction of the Paddington Pole, a 72-storey skyscraper proposed next to the station, which was eventually withdrawn.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron revealed in January a national memorial would be built next to Parliament by the end of next year.

He said the monument would show the importance Britain placed on preserving memory of the Holocaust and added it would stand beside Parliament as a “statement of British values”.

In September, the Government invited designers and architects from across the world to submit blueprints for the memorial and learning centre.

The winning designs are set to be exhibited in London in January before an overall winner is announced next summer.

Sir Peter Bazalgette, chairman of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, said: "Ensuring that the memory and the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten lies at the heart of Britain’s values as a nation and this important new national landmark will stand as a permanent reminder of our commitment as a country to stand against prejudice and hatred in all its forms.

"I am delighted we have secured a site at the heart of our democracy and to have such strong cross-party support for the memorial and the learning centre which will accompany it. 

"They will be a logical and harmonious addition to the space, joining the existing memorials which can be viewed as a physical representation of the United Kingdom’s conscience and values."