The Devil's Own Blog From God's Own County

I can't think of anything more stupid than spending lottery money on worthless expressions of civic pride. Especially when these are pedalled by a council that has presided over stagnation and decline. The Toothless and Gutless is reporting that the council is applying for the right to burn £17m of money that would otherwise go to good causes on the tawdry plastic designs of a bankrupt architect. Strangely none of these funds would be available to save one of Bradford's better buildings the Odeon - odd that isn't it nothing for preservation but loadsamoney for useless 3 inch deep "lakes". If this crass and unimaginative development was worth anything it would be paid for by development gains or from Civic funds as it should be, the fact that something is utterly worthless doesn't mean you should mug widows and orphans to pay for it. I do hope the Big Lottery trustees have some spine and throw this application out at the first opportunity.