Um plano secreto para construir uma réplica gigante da estátua do Cristo Redentor do Rio de Janeiro, nas proximidades do cume da Montanha Primrose (78 metros de altura), localizada em Regent's Park, Londres, foi revelado pela publicação New Journal.
O plano, que terá ainda de ser submetido ao departamento de planejamento da prefeitura de Londres, seria financiado pelo governo brasileiro, em comemoração ao encerramento das Olimpíadas de Londres 2012, e simbolizar o momento em que a cidade do Rio de Janeiro recebe a tocha Olímpica para os Jogos de 2016.
Mas a proposta, baseada na mundialmente famosa estátua erguida no Morro do Corcovado, já divide opiniões.
A SECRET plan to build a giant replica of the Rio De Janeiro statue
of Christ The Redeemer close to the summit of Primrose Hill has been
uncovered by the New Journal.
The scheme, which is yet to go before the Town Hall’s planning
department, is to be funded by the Brazilian government to celebrate the
end of the London 2012 Olympics and mark the moment the city of Rio
takes on the Olympic mantle for the 2016 Games.
But the proposal, based on the world famous statue which overlooks
Rio from the heights of Corcovado mountain, is already dividing opinion.
Friends of Primrose Hill chairman Malcolm Kafetz said: “I do not see
why it should go there. I think it sounds unsuitable for a piece like
this. It does not represent anything of England or Primrose Hill.
Primrose Hill is a place for people to go and enjoy the view. I will be
bringing this up with the Friends committee.”
A planning consultancy based in London has been employed by Brazil’s
tourist agency to hold a public meeting to display the designs.
Emails seen by the New Journal reveal organisers asking for secrecy
over the scheme so that when it is unveiled after this summer’s Games
are over there is a “wow” factor – and a big surprise – for people
living nearby.
In a message sent to a handful of Primrose Hill residents, the
designers and planning team said the statue would provide a focal point
for “the world’s media at the end of the handover”.
They added: “The structure that has been selected is iconic in nature
and synonymous with Rio. The intention is for a planning application to
be submitted in February.”
Other regular visitors to Primrose Hill said they would withhold judgment until the plans were unveiled.
The Primrose Hill Community Association’s Maureen Betts said she had
been approached and that they were planning to hold a meeting to
discuss the plans with the designers before they go to Camden Council’s
planning committee with the scheme. She added: “I personally would not
mind if it was temporary and it depends on what it looks like.”
Her views were echoed by the Primrose Hill Conservation Area Committee’s Pam White.
She said: “I have no objections if it is temporary and we are looking
forward to seeing the designs. The Royal Parks have already desecrated
the top of Primrose Hill against our advice.”
Primrose Hill Lib Dem councillor Chris Naylor said he wasn’t sure a
30ft statue of Christ with his arms outstretched was quite what the area
needed.
He added: “If they want to put something on the hill I think they
need to get some more original ideas. This sounds a bit like some
marketing brainstorm which hasn’t been thought through.”
A spokesman for planning consultants Dalton Warner Davis, who are
helping put together an application for the Brazilian Tourist Board and
Camden-based designers See Me, Hear Me, Feel Me Ltd, said they were not
prepared to comment on any details, adding: “There are a number of
options regarding design and location being considered and therefore it
is premature to comment.”
A spokesman for Primrose Hill managers the Royal Parks said they had
had no contact with the Brazilian Tourist Board over the idea. The
spokesman added: “Any plans would have to go though the relevant
application process.”
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