New setback for Holocaust memorial

Parliamentary officials will hear objections at hearing next month

Government plans to build a Holocaust memorial in a park adjoining parliament will be challenged at a rare and arcane hearing in Westminster next month. Campaigners who are affected by the proposals will be able to put arguments to senior parliamentary officials. It’s understood that interested parties will also have the opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses put forward by the government.

Proposed memorial and learning centre (Ron Arad Associates)

I made my own position on the memorial clear nearly three years ago. Like other members of the Jewish community — though not its leadership — I’m against the project: I think it’s the right idea in the wrong place. But I will not be taking any part in the public hearing.

Almost a year ago, the High Court overturned a grant of planning permission obtained by the government. A judge decided that the project was unlawful because of restrictions on the use of the site chosen by the government. Mrs Justice Thornton concluded that the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900, a private act of parliament that is still in force, “imposes an enduring obligation to lay out and retain the… land for use as a public garden and integral part of the existing Victoria Tower Gardens”.

The government was refused leave to appeal and is now asking parliament to allow the memorial to be built despite the restrictions in the 1900 act. But a bill with that aim introduced by the communities secretary Michael Gove has run into difficulties.