Clydebank Fitting out Basin to be filled in

[Rob Lightbody]

I received this message this evening which was greatly concerned me -

There is an article in this weeks Clydebank Post regarding the redevelopment of the former John Brown's shipyard.
I was shocked to see that they are planning to fill in or partially fill in the fitting out basin adjacent to the Titan Crane.
I think this would be an act of vandalism considering the history of the site, and also would ruin the setting of the Grade A listed Titan Crane.
I was a surprised that the fitting out basin was not a listed structure.

The Dawn Group/ Clydeside Regeneration are holding a public consultation prior to their planning application, they have an exhibition at Cart Street Clydebank on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd September 12:00-20:00 on Thursday, 13:00-19:00 on Friday and 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturday.

Do you think some of the people on the QE2 story website would be interested in trying to change the proposals?

Also I see on the Historic Scotland website it is possible to propose a building/ structure to be listed, perhaps that is what is needed to prevent this atrocity.

[Peter Mugridge]

Ubelievable!

On what grounds do the powers that be propose to carry out this act of cultural vandalism?

[Rob Lightbody]

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/08/25/416580-50m-vision-for-town/

[Rob Lightbody]

I'm going to go along next week to find out more.

[Peter Mugridge]

Hmmm... I'm sure with a bit of imagination they could make the basin a centrepiece that would enhance the development rather than fill it in.  For a start they talk about leiure and waterfront; I can think of several possibilities for the basin that would combine the two and probably increase the return on their investment, and I'm sure I'm not the only one...

[Rob Lightbody]

They've been far too keen in Glasgow to fill in all the docks. Docks which nowadays we could never afford to construct.

If they do anything at all to alter the shape of that dock, one of the last intact bits of the shipyard, it will be a disgrace.

[Peter Mugridge]

My first thoughts are that it would be an ideal point from which tourist sightseeing boats could arrive and depart ( I am thinking more of the sort of vessel that is used on the Thames in London, but have to ask is it possible to get Waverley in there or has the water silted up too much over the years?? ).

Then again, given the length and width of it, it should be possible to make a few uniquely histprical berths available for private yachts to ties up to - given the history of the area and the location if the full scale of the development goes ahead, then they could probably justifiably charge a premium for a mooring there.

Putting one of those waterfront restaurants at the very end of it, with the dining room windows facing down the length of the basin, would create a dramatic view; this could be tied in with one of the hotel proposals - have the restaurant on the ground floor, open to non residents, and build the hotel above making sure that the premium suites face out across the basin; they could have the best suite possibly at the exact height of, and just a few feet in front of, where the bow points of all three Great Queens would have been during fitting out.

And that's just the immediate three ideas...

[Rod]

Maybe they could fit the QE2 in it and then fill it in?

[Sea Pigeon]

That would be a great idea, that would create jobs and encourage visitors to the town 

Graeme

[Bob C.]

A travesty at a minimum. QM, QE, QE2 and others: such history that will be vandalized by the mere plackard marking the spot rather than the actual basin. This history rich location deserves much much more recognition. Do we cherish nothing anymore?

[No 736]

The fitting out basin is every bit as important as the Titan crane, the Glasgow school of art, the Hillhouse etc. etc.
This must not happen, there is no requirement for more supermarkets and the like. What are these people thinking about?

[Stowaway2k]

The article says "significant public realm work around the Titan Crane." but I'm curious as to where the specific information on filling in or partially filling in the fitting out basin comes from.

Is there another source for this information?

[Rob Lightbody]

The article says "significant public realm work around the Titan Crane." but I'm curious as to where the specific information on filling in or partially filling in the fitting out basin comes from.

Is there another source for this information?

the map that was in the clydebank post print edition showed the basin partly or fully filled in. I'll try to get an image, and will also find out more when I go to look at the planning application.

[Alistair]

They might as well bulldoze the whole town into the basin and walk away. As an ex Bankie I'm at a loss as to why they want to remove what precious little is left of the town's past. They should be trying to put a ship into the basin. Any ship that was built at Brown's would do but I have my own preference of course! The ship could be a focal point for other developments as suggested on this thread already.

[cunardqueen]

I thinks its disgrace that they should even consider filing in the fitting out basin

And when you consider this little extension bit and what it means as part of the Queens history to even think to fill in this bit is a national disgrace, However to joe public, its probably only a space.... 

I am right in saying this was added for the fitting out of the original Queens and the bow would fit in this place here...

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