| Help Us Save Our Arch! |
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Responses
In today's world of concrete and steel and buildings that reach into the sky, it's all too easy to forget what our humble home was like before we came along. Lush forests, stretching from sea to sea. Vast plains, with the tall grasses rippling gently in the breeze. Living things all around, so much so that one could hardly walk. Rains that brought the smell of flowers on the breeze. Air so clear and so pure that it nourished all who breathed it. A vibrancy that was unmatched and unparalleled. Of course, progress came all too quickly, and we built buildings and paved roads, and built and built and built. And slowly, the richness of where we lived dwindled. And slowly, the forests disappeared. The plains were swallowed. The air was soured. And still we continue. And we forget, sometimes, that the Earth is a place of balance; of harmony; of nature. We are so arrogant as to think that we can build whatever we wish, wherever we wish, however we wish, and who cares, really, about the Earth? It's ours, after all. Every now and then someone comes along and attempts to inject a little bit of life into our dreary surroundings. They might wish, for example, to provide a small toehold where a plant or two might live and grow and prosper. Each of these folks does this in their own way: some grow a plant indoors; some move into large estates and have gardeners tend to a myriad of plants; and some might decide to put up a small arch over their walkway. So why am I sad, when there are so many good people in the world? Because other people, perhaps people who have forgotten what our stewardship of where we live means, have decided to dictate what living things can and cannot be grown and nurtured for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Because somewhere, a book of rules about concrete and pavement and roadways and building codes says that an arch is not acceptable. Because somewhere, we have forgotten our own heritage, and would deny others the pleasure of providing a safe harbor to living things. I understand this, of course. It's very easy to "stick to the book of rules". In fact, it's quite hard to do the opposite: look up, understand the request, and perhaps admit that the "book of rules" didn't take into account our stewardship. So, we'll stick to the book, and simply deny that anything can be grown. After all, pavement and concrete and steel is what makes this planet so wonderful. I looked carefully at your pictures that you posted. From my humble opinion, it looks as if the arch that you built was well-done and tasteful. It looks like it is a very positive addition to the street. I, for one, would be proud and happy to walk by such a thing each and every day. It would bring a spark of cheer and life to an otherwise drab place. It says that the people who live here CARE, and CARE ENOUGH to do something wonderful! I'm sorry that you are going through such a struggle for such a simple thing! I wish you luck in your efforts, and I hope that your local council can remember just what makes this planet so wonderful. Perhaps, tomorrow, I shall be happy. Jaye & David Schneider
I find it quite amazing that you have had so many responses from kind hearted people around the world who have taken the time to really consider what they have to say and why they have to say it. The point of 'getting in touch' is "the Arch". It is beautiful and as you mention that carpentry is not your strong point, I would like to disagree it is a strong point, the Arch is beautiful, thank you for improving the environment around your house not just for yourself but all those who live near you and pass by "The Arch". If the council made their rules and regulations more sensible for starters but also more publicly available then you may have built it a few inches shorter. In my opinion it is in fact the council that is at fault here! Why and how exactly do they expect you to know that you are not allowed to build something which is 'an asset to the community' (as your local councillor put it) unless it is under a certain height? Although rules and regulations are there for a purpose and in many case should be adhered to, this one is beyond belief! It is hard to imagine the mentality of someone who would intentionally try to remove something as wonderful as your Arch. The council should be ashamed of themselves for such an act of VANDALISM!! They should concentrate on improving the local environment not destroying one of the few beautiful things left in this urban jungle of concrete and ugliness. I support you all the way. I've never done it before, but if you do require someone to chain themselves to it to prevent destruction, do send me a line. I'd be more than happy to help! Mirabelle The other side of Birmingham (the black country)
All the best with keeping the arch - theres nothing like the cold glare of publicity to make council beauocrats think things over!! Cheers
I feel for you, particularly as you designed and built it yourself and the plants have been growing over it for some time. One can't help but wonder whether your local bureaucrants have more important things to do. Hope that you get to keep your arch! Cheers, Ben Lin
Mr + Mrs Bird,
I have recently come across an online article at wwww.aemann.demon.co.uk/about/arch.html about a bureaucratic pedantry enacted in Erdington. Why a couple should have to pay a retroactive fee of nearly £100 to cover planning permission for a garden ornament that is considered an asset both by neighbours and the local councillor is totally beyond comprehension. Clearly, any action by the planning authorities is a ludicrous waste of time and tax payers' money. My street in Harborne (Albany Road) has not been cleared of fallen leaves all winter long, creating a health and safety risk to the senior citizens living there and visiting the local branch of the Royal British Legion. While I appreciate that this is not the responsibility of your office, I have to question the sense of a city administration that puts the health of longstanding members of the community at risk, yet victimises those who seek to contribute to the visual appeal of their community. An apology to Mr. and Mrs. Mann is clearly in order. Fred, UK
Donna, UK
I sympathise with your plight, but having worked for a District Council once know what an immovable and beaurecratic monster you are up against. They will always hit the easiest targets - logic won't come into it. A lot of jobsworths will quote all sorts of legal garbage but when it comes down to it, the law is an ass. Best of luck, Gary
Cheers,
Britain used to be a great colonial power but these days this used-to-be-great power has to whistle when he goes to the bathroom so that he remembers which end he has to wipe (if he has anything to wipe with). Leave the Manns alone. Is the English economy so, so bad that you have nothing real to do? Singaporean,
TEXT REMOVED ON LEGAL ADVICE! Off to email the council Don & Co.
Tell em to bog off later,
1, It's not a fence Maybe they are looking at this from the wrong angle, and everyone can bow out with dignity. Officials like to appear as official, so if you can show that you are within their retrictions by building a supporting frame for your plants, you may have an easier time, otherwise they will have to look at changing a by-law, and that won't happen before they serve the papers. Is it stupid? Of course. We have so many restrictions here, it's not funny. We are not allowed to have a washing line for instance, we're not allowed to park a caravan in the driveway for another. Have you tried asking them what you could do to keep the structure? Sympathize with their difficult job, and then state how much you love this frame, and isn't there anything that you can do to keep it. Remember, your goal is to keep the structure not start WWIII. Good luck!
Best of luck with the Council fools New Zealand
When I get to the point of buying a house of my own (or more likely, building one) the one thing that I do NOT want is the stereotypical (boring) brick box common to suburban neighborhoods across the western hemisphere and beyond. The only places in the US where I would be likely to get away with the streamline-era styling that I'd prefer are Florida and California. Can you imagine the problems THIS guy had with the local planning council? There is a "fantasy castle" (see links below) that a guy named Rex Martin built just across the county line near my city's limits that I wouldn't mind living in (more because of the atypical design, but the size/space/luxury is nice too). (Actually, since it is in fairly rural farmland rather than a suburban area, it was probably not terribly difficult. Even so, some people in the area regard it as an eyesore. No accounting for taste, I guess.) http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news/072298/f1cas.shtml Kentucky, USA
It would do you credit if you were to allow the arch to stay. Perhaps if you were to give an extension of time, the amount of time that it has stood already 3 years, by then it will probably have either rotted or everybody will have forgotten all about it. All rules should be relaxed a little, just look the other way, after you have sent him an extension of time, and I am sure, that the officials of the council, will be looked upon, by the community, as not a bad bunch. Faithfully, Leslie Welch. UK
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