“On the web site for the Monk Group there is an artist¿s impression of how the new square at Trinity Square was supposed to look. We are told that there will be a prestigious new complex, a plaza and the creation of a continental culture, with street bars, restaurants and cafes. The picture makes the square look attractive. I am appalled that Robert Monk should claim that the architects were not happy when his company¿s own web site is still today singing the praises of this development and showing how it should in fact look. What he should be doing is seeing what can be done to put matters right.”

“The crux of this is actually quite simple.

As this is a large scale development in the City centre the plans for it would have been considered by the full Planning Committee who then gave planning consents on the basis of those plans.

If the development has actually been built outside of those consents then the Council should take action against the developer.

If it has actually been built in accordance with the consents then the responsibility for approving the plans must rest with the Planning Committee. And the accountability for what has happened then passes upwards to the Council and the leader.

And as that leader is none other than Jon Collins how on earth does he have the brass neck to complain?”

“it would appear that quite a few people have commented on this article without actually reading it. With a few exceptions including J B Mann and nottingham Residant, a lot of people seem to be saying that the developers are at fault. While I agree that they should take some responsibility, the City Council officers and elelcted members who allowed this to go through the planning stages must shoulder the main responsibility. I note that Coun Clark-Smith is getting his "I told you so" comments in, but who are the other faceless Council members who have overseen the destruction of our historic city centre buildings?”

“if you think Trinity Square is bad - or even the new art gallery, take time to look at the 'Science Park' THAT really IS a joke!”

“This calls for the entire planning team at Nottingham City Council to be dispensed with, with immediate effect. How DARE they call themselves public servants, and how DARE they take taxpayers money in salary when they are clearly unfit for purpose. THE SACK too, for the Planning Committee. The next local election should give local taxpayers the opportunity to vote these incompetent councillors out of office. They should now consider resigning.”

“It looks better than the horrific eyesore of a car park which previously stood on the site. This is just another missed opportunity by the City but hey there are plenty more opportunities to waste in the future so I wouldn't worry too much about this one. Think about Eastside, Southside, Waterside oh and the extended Broadmarsh ... more brilliant opportunites for the Councillors to drag their feet and design by committee and then blame everyone but themselves when their own 'designs' don't work. I look forward to another 20 years of shambolic planning by the Councillors and their planners! There's a reason the planners in Nottingham are so bad ... the good ones are in private practice now, leaving the crap still inside the Council House.”

“When I have passed by this building I have always thought it to be unfinnished, maybe awaiting some tennants. What we need now is someone able to make it good without spending too much. Maybe a good tennant shop keeper with lots of creativity to brighten this poor blighted spot.
Nottingham has got talent enough and maybe a well reduced rent is all it will take to spark interest.”

“So who will get the sack for wasting £70 million pounds! Well I'll tell you - NO ONE! More money down the pan and no accountability. No doubt Council Tax will be raised in April! I work in the city and spend most of my time around this development. Did anyone ask me what I wanted?? NO.....”

“First of all congratulations on managing to produce an uglier building than the Nottingham Contemporary Arts Centre in the Lace Market. Quite an achievement in its self.

Having been a member of the Development Control Committee during the various stages that this project went through I have to say that I am appalled the thing ever got built.

From the very beginning the designs that were presented looked dated and unimaginative. Even when there were the original plans for the casino the side of the building still looked more like an old bingo hall than a prestige development. To then have the designs back at a later stage with no casino and instead an ugly mishmash of cheap and nasty student accommodation was unbelievable (see your front page 'A TITANIC EYESORE' - my quote from the meeting I believe).

Some of us said at the time that this building was not the prestige development that we were looking for, and instead they should scrap it and start again. Unfortunately, when the later designs came back they were no better. Meeting targets and getting something built ASAP then appeared to be the only important issue, as is the case with most of the City Council's major developments, and it eventually got through.

What we are now left with, in Cllr Collins' words, is one of the worst pieces of urban design in 20 years. What a shame then, that despite numerous people- including myself- saying exactly the same thing (when the scheme was still at its planning stage) it still went ahead and was built.

The buck must stop with the City Council for letting this dreadful development go ahead. It harks back to the bad old days of the 60s and 70s when any old rubbish seemed to be going up. It is the job of the Council to make sure developments are of the standard we expect. The developers are no doubt embarrassed that their shoddy work has now been exposed, so are trying to blame everybody but themselves. They are the ones that designed the building after all, so they will gain no sympathy from the public. It is like a school pupil blaming their teacher for them handing in a poor piece of homework. The difference being however, that the teacher would give them the work back and tell them to do it again properly. What a shame the Labour City Council couldn't do the same with Trinity Square.”

“I think it comes into the debate since it shows how Labour have a history, a very long and depressing history, or poor planning.”