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Planners back ‘hijab gates’ for Brick Lane despite 158 objections
Terry Kirby25 Feb 2010
A proposal to build “hijab gates” at either end of Brick Lane has failed to attract a single letter of support from locals, a council report shows.
But the plan for the arches — which have been compared to giant headscarves — has attracted 158 objections. Despite this Tower Hamlets officials are recommending its development committee approve the scheme next Thursday.
The arches would form part of a £2 million “heritage trail”. Critics have accused the council of dividing the community by emphasising Islam above other faiths. Others say the arches resemble something from Disneyland.
Objectors include the Spitalfields Trust and the local synagogue. Resident Will Palin, secretary of Save Britain's Heritage, said: “To press ahead in the face of such opposition would be an insult to the people of the borough.”
Another local, Tracey Emin, has called the design “bulky, ungainly and unnecessary”.
The council says the arches are not “culturally specific to Islam” and structures have been used to denote areas such as Chinatown and Carnaby Street. The report is on its website. Thursday's meeting is at the town hall in Clove Crescent.
Reader views (20)
We now know that those running Tower Hamlets are intent on destroying democracy and Islamising Britian. They represent a totalitarian ideology.
- David, London UK, 28/02/2010 19:14
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Ridiculous, ugly,unpopular and divisive waste of local tax payers money.
Who at Tower Hamlets Council is responsible ?,2 Million pounds to be spent in the poorest borough in the U.K, on what ?.
The thought of you idiots sitting round even discussing such non sense when I'm paying your wages. planet what less, or what ?.
- Tom Tower Hamlets, Bethnal Green London, 26/02/2010 15:30
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London is celebrated as a City of Design and creativity, these gates are without any merit and completely our of context. What a complete waste of money, materials & time.
- Stephen, London, 26/02/2010 14:02
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Tower Hamlets council ignores residents' views - that's not news.
- Austen, London, 25/02/2010 21:24
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Simple. If the gates are erected, do not shop at the merchants between them, they will be gone in a fortnight.
- John (Brit Expat), Phoenix USA, 25/02/2010 20:02
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>>Arch critics: how one of the structures would look. Objectors claim they are bulky, ungainly and divisive
Yeh that about sums it up.
- Marc, Harrow, UK, 25/02/2010 19:34
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Helen, the planners were elected by the people of Tower hamlets - at least those who bothered to vote. I am not a fan of Tracey Emin, but "unnecessary" is spot on.
- Patrick, Dalston, 25/02/2010 17:59
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Ugly, Ugly, ugly! Spend the money for something more in line with English Heritage and beauty.
- Mark, Buffalo, NY USA, 25/02/2010 17:47
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compare them to anything you want: ugly is ugly
- Trunk, US, 25/02/2010 17:07
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PLEASE don't waste money on these 'gates'! If there's cash to spend, it may be a good idea to pedestrianise Brick Lane from Princelet Street up to BG road on Sundays and to provide proper bins and seating areas for the tourist hordes.
- Dd, brick lane, london, uk, 25/02/2010 16:53
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I don't see what these arches have to do with Islam or Tower Hamlets. This is a ridiculous spend.
- Bloke, Lambeth, 25/02/2010 15:17
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Hideous! This is just wrong wrong wrong wrong and wrong!
There are so many beautiful classic gate designs in Muslim architectural history - this choice is vulgar and offensive to those who feel that the hijab oppresses women.
- Dan, London, 25/02/2010 13:57
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This is just political correctness, whilst Brick Lane is bright and vibrant, have a look around the side streets and see the poverty and over crowding that exists,I am sure that having a nice arch will make these people feel so much better.
- Steve M, London, 25/02/2010 13:40
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Interesting to know who the 'planners' are, who pays them, where they trained, and what their qualifications and guidelines are. However, the 'planners' will almost always go with the strongest political push. The whole thing is led by 'Tower Hamlet officials'. Interesting to know who they are, what their agenda is, who pays for them, who trains them, what right do they have to make huge design decisions like this. Who rules? Ya!
- Helen, norwich, 25/02/2010 13:26
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Would you please make it out of ally,as aluminium is a good price at the moment.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 25/02/2010 13:09
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How can those who are supposed to serve the public treat their employers with such disdain? Surely 158 objections should at least give them pause for thought.
- Gary, London, 25/02/2010 13:01
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Why don't they just have gates with "Brick Lane" inscribed on them. These "things" do nothing for me and seem a waste of space and money.
- S Robertson,, London, 25/02/2010 13:01
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Brick Lane is wonderfull as it is (whith the exeption of the new giant syringe by the mosque). Leave it be.
- Mat, London, 25/02/2010 12:27
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Apart from the fact that nobody wants it, surely the fact that it's a complete and utter waste of money should be a deciding factor?! I thought we were all stretched for cash at the moment?
- Bob, London, 25/02/2010 12:26
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Dont forget to mention that the same local council has 'calls to prayer' and their CEO resigned in protest a year or two ago. Bringing religion into the running of the local council is fundamentally wrong.
- John, UK, 25/02/2010 12:08
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