Electric Ballroom

[andyroo]

An interesting article from the company that I work for's intranet, for anyone who is interested:

WSP Helps Save the Electric Ballroom (and Sir Bob Geldof did his bit too!)

30 June 2005 WSP Development

After 12 months of nervous anticipation, the Inspector’s Report - endorsed by John Prescott, MP - has recently been published and has confirmed that London Underground’s plans to demolish the Camden Markets and the famous rock venue the Electric Ballroom have been rejected.

A public inquiry was held between 12th February and 12 July 2004 to consider the planning application(s) by London Underground to compulsorily purchase a triangular plot of land (where part of the Camden Markets and the Electric ballroom are currently located) for the improvement of Camden Town Station through the Transport Works Act (TWA) procedure, and the above-ground commercial development which required planning and conservation consents.

WSP represented the Electric Ballroom to object to the station proposal at the Public Inquiry and provided three expert witnesses (out of 13 Electric Ballroom expert witnesses) to cover the Transport, Justification and Costs, and Structural Engineering aspects of the Inquiry, demonstrating the value of our multi-disciplinary capability. The timeframe and nature of the Public Inquiry imposed many significant demands upon the expert witness and legal team, producing a strong camaraderie amongst all of those involved and considerable midnight-oil burning.

The 13 expert witnesses were supported by a number of written submissions in support of the Electric Ballroom, from such luminaries as Sir Bob Geldof and Dame Judy Dench. The nature of our client led to one of the most entertaining public inquiry site visits ever, involving attendance at a Snow Patrol concert (Snow Patrol, for the benefit of our more mature staff, is a popular beat combo).

We are delighted that the confidence shown in us by the Electric Ballroom has paid-off and WSP has received glowing commendations from the Client, the QC involved (Richard Clayton) and our fellow expert witness team members.

As is so often the case, all the credit in the press has been given to Sir Bob Geldof!

For further information, please contact Jason Brooks (Project Director and the Justification and Costs Expert Witness), Michael Lee (Project Manager and the Transport Expert Witness) or John Parker (the Structural Engineering Expert Witness).