Call to remove 'fake parapet' rejected

Conservationists still smarting over the retention of the south portico in the British Museum's Great Court Scheme, which was built in French Anstrude Roche Claire limestone rather than Portland stone, have now called for the removal of a "fake parapet".

Camden Civic Society and the Bloomsbury Conservation Area Advisory Committee called on Camden Council to order the museum to remove the parapet because of discrepancies between the approved plans and the finished stonework.

But officers advised councillors at a planning committee meeting that the differences were a minor change that did not affect the character of the Grade 1 listed building. The councillors decided to ask the museum to seek amended planning permission retrospectively.

More than a year ago the councillors authorised the issuing of an enforcement notice requiring the removal of food counters that did not have planning permission, but officers have still not issued the notice. Neither have they produced a report requested by the planning committee in April 2002 on further alleged breaches of planning permission.

In spite of the irritation of some councillors and conservationists, The Great Court Scheme, designed by the Sir Norman Foster architectural practice and officially opened by the Queen at the end of 2000, seems likely to remain just as it is.

Read Portland MP's comments that the stone supplier should not be blamed here.