XN000022-1985-06-12 — Page 42

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1985

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FRESH APPROACH TO VICTORIA BARRACKS DEVELOPMENT PLAN

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THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY DECIDED THAT AN ENTIRELY FRESH APPROACH WAS NECESSARY ON THE LONG-DELAYED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE, BUT WITH THE EMPHASIS TO REMAIN ON CONSERVING AS MUCH OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE SITE AS POSSIBLE AND BRINGING IT INTO PUBLIC RECREATION USE WITH THE MINIMUM OF FURTHER DELAY.

THE COMMITTEE, AS PART OF ITS IMPORTANT DECISION, RULED AGAINST EARLIER SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A LARGE, | SPECIALIZED SHOUZHOU GARDEN, AND AGAINST THE RE-SITING OF

MURRAY HOUSE IN THIS AREA.

+CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE COUNCIL'S CONTROL VIRTUALLY FORCED THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO TAKE A FRESH APPROACH TO THE WHOLE PROJECT,+ SAID A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN.

+AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS NOW NEEDED QUICKLY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA IS DEVELOPED AS A CO-ORDINATED WHOLE AND NOT IN BITS AND PIECES.

+BASICALLY, THE COMMITTEE WISHES TO MAKE THE AREA AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY AND WITH THE BARE MINIMUM OF BUILDING AND FORMAL, ACTIVE RECREATION FACILITIES.+

EXPLAINING THE DECISION NOT TO GO AHEAD WITH PROPOSALS FOR A SHOUZHOU GARDEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FURTHER STUDIES HAD SHOWN THAT SUCH A FACILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR LARGE CROWDS OF VISITORS.

+THE WHOLE AESTHETIC BEAUTY OF SUCH A GARDEN IS IN ITS VERY PRIVACY AND SENSE OF ONENESS WITH NATURE, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

+ IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OR ESSENCE OF SUCH A GARDEN WITH PEOPLE BEING SQUASHED TOGETHER ON NARROW WALKWAYS AMID ROCKERY AND SHRUBS, AND CHILDREN RUNNING BACK AND FORTH ALONG LITTLE BRIDGES OVER CHARMING LITTLE PONDS CONTAINING LOTUS BLOOMS AND GOLDFISH.

+FURTHERMORE, DESPITE THE COUNCIL'S OBJECTIONS, A FIRE STATION IS BEING BUILT ON ANOTHER AREA, ALONGSIDE COTTON TREE DRIVE, WHICH WOULD ALSO BE IN TOTAL CONFLICT WITH THE PREVIOUS SUGGESTION FOR A TRANQUIL SHOUZHOU GARDEN.+

/CONCERNING MURRAY