Setback for TV Centre sell-off
- Published: 30 June 2008 11:34
- Author: Katherine Rushton
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- Last Updated: 01 July 2008 11:29
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The BBC's £300m plan to sell-off Television Centre is facing a new setback after the English Heritage announced it is "strongly" urging the government to impose a Grade II listing on the building.
The organisation has heralded the centre as architecturally and historically significant and is lobbying for the preservation measures to be applied to parts of it, including the original studios, the canteen and even the Blue Peter garden.
If the application is approved by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, it could have a significant impact on the value of TVC due to the level of red tape needed for any changes.
Major demolition work would be subject to Cabinet-level approval, while changes to the bricks, windows and doors would require official consent.
English Heritage's petition comes as a blow to the BBC, which hopes to raise £300m from the sale of the centre to help plug a hole in its budget.
The scheme has already suffered because of a slump in property prices, which is predicted to reduce the building's value by a quarter – equivalent to £75m – over the term of the BBC's six-year financial plan.
But Peter Beacham, English Heritage's heritage protection director, said: "This building is not just architecturally important.
"As one of the first purpose-built television studios in the world, it represents the moment when Britain led Europe into the television age.
"The BBC itself is an important part of our British identity and Television Centre has acquired an iconic presence."
The move by English Heritage follows an online petition asking the government to impose a Grade I listing on the building. The petition has attracted more than 1,700 signatures including many from BBC staff.
A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC is happy to discuss with English Heritage any proposal it has and we will comment to the Secretary of State on the historic and architectural merit of Television Centre in due course.
"The BBC has announced that it does not intend to occupy the whole of Television Centre after 2012 but any reference to detailed development plans for the building and site is premature."
