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The National Holocaust Memorial Center will be built next to Parliament after the Minister approves the recommendation to present a “strong associative message.”
The Board of Deputies of the British Jews welcomed the decision by Minister of Housing and Planning Chris Pincher, who opposed the plan and called it “extremely disappointed” and approval.
Mr. Pincher’s decision was made because an application was filed for central consideration after a local public inquiry was conducted in October and November.
A proposal from a campaign group to build the Holocaust Memorial Learning Center (HMLC) in Victoria Tower Garden to commemorate the atrocities committed by the Nazis against Jews and other ethnic minorities during World War II. Faced the opposite.
However, Pincher agreed with planning inspector David Morgan that “the application should be approved.”
In the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government decision, the Minister agreed, “The location next to the Palace of Westminster itself provides a powerful associative message. This is its immediate monument. Consistent with that. Broader context. “
In addition, “The Minister of State further agrees with the inspector’s conclusion that the location of UKHMLC adjacent to the Palace of Westminster can be regarded as a very important public interest, giving considerable weight to the balance between heritage and planning. . “
The report acknowledged that there was “a slight loss of open space and function” within the Victoria Tower Garden, but the good points of the location outweigh the bad points of building a monument there. I found.
Written by the Planning Casework Unit, a letter dated July 29 stated that the inspector determined that another location was not appropriate.
Morgan discovered that the Imperial War Museum “lacks a detailed plan” and “has clear potential constraints that could impede its provision.”
Pincher agreed with the report that Potter’s Field, which is adjacent to Tower Bridge, and two other sites, which are adjacent to Millbank Tower, “are even less detailed and feasible and deserve further weight reduction.”
Marie van der Jill, chairman of the Board of Deputies of the British Jews, said she was “happy” with the building permit.
“As I said in the question, there will be something uniquely powerful about putting the Holocaust monument right next to the center of democracy in Britain,” she said.
The government has already promised that the Holocaust Memorial will be provided to visitors “forever” free of charge at the time of its opening, and is in the same position as Britain’s most important museums and monuments.
Hungarian Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack welcomed the news.
“I’m speechless and honestly admire,” she said.
Mr. Pollack said the Holocaust “should be taught over and over again because many people suppress distrust of Jews,” and people said, “We all want to live a peaceful life.” I want it. “
“The UK is offering it because it is a light of hope for the future,” she said.
The center, scheduled to open in 2024, will be central to the national memory of the 6 million Jewish men, women, children, and all other victims of Nazi persecution killed in the Holocaust. The purpose is that. Subsequent genocide. “
A total of £ 75m ($ 105m) of public funding has already been used for construction, and the investment will be supplemented by £ 25m ($ 35m) from charitable donations.
The campaign group, which opposed the proposal to build a monument next to Congress, said it was consulting with a lawyer before making the next move.
Baroness Ruth Deech of the Save Victoria Tower Gardens campaign called approval a “split.”
“Last fall’s public inquiry raised serious concerns about the impact of the plan on heritage and valuable parks, raising issues of flood risk, safety and damage to mature trees,” said the peer. rice field.
In a post on social media, the group said: “We are very disappointed and are currently reading the full decision with a lawyer and considering the next steps.”
The London Gardens Trust also expressed concern that “the park’s land for quiet relaxation would be lost and become a civic space with crowded tickets,” including the Baxton Memorial, which marks the abolition of slavery. He also expressed his fear of casting a shadow on the statue.
The Westminster City Council, which disputed the proposal, said it “respected” the minister’s decision.
A council spokesman said:
“As part of the process, the Council’s Planning Subcommittee provided views on the scheme in February 2020 after extensive public consultation.
“We will note and respect the Minister’s decision.”
The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
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