Maria Miller speaks out after Boris Johnson鈥檚 intervention threw plans into doubt
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has praised the Southbank Centre for the way it has dealt with opponents of its 拢120m redevelopment plans.
Miller鈥檚 intervention comes after Boris Johnson hit out at the plans last week over the proposal to relocate the skating site.
about the mayor of London鈥檚 intervention, she said: 鈥淭he Southbank Centre has handled that whole episode extremely well.鈥�
Miller鈥檚 support comes at a critical moment for the Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios scheme, which is due to go before Lambeth鈥檚 planning committee next month.
Mayor Boris Johnson, who will then make the final decision on the project, dealt it a major blow on Thursday when he declared his support for the campaign to keep skateboarding on the site.
Under FCBS鈥檚 proposals, the undercroft used by the skaters would become commercial space which artistic director Jude Kelly insists is crucial to the viability of the whole project.
Following extensive consultation during which the planning application was temporarily suspended, the skateboarders would be moved 120m upstream to a site designed by SNE and Rick Mather Architects.
Miller went on to say: 鈥淢aking sure the local community and Southbank Centre co-exist is important because they are good for each other.鈥�
A spokeswoman for the Southbank Centre described her comments as 鈥渆ncouraging鈥�.
Last week Johnson said he approved of 鈥渕any of the aspects鈥� of the plan but added: 鈥淩edevelopment should not be at the detriment of the skate park which should be retained in its current position.鈥�
In December Boris鈥檚 deputy Ed Lister praised the architects鈥� 鈥渂right and fresh鈥� ideas though he said there were details still to be worked out.
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