Desert storm over Sticklebrick Tower

Council leader Mike Whitby thinks the structure looks boostin', which tells you everything you need to know.

Whitby had a pow-wow with Kuwait-based Salhia Investments during his grandiose "tour of the Middle East" (can't wait for the T-shirt) and thinks the project would be a boost for Brum, even if the building looks like it has been made out of imitation sticklebricks.

Am I being unkind? Have a look at the picture on the Birmingham Post's website of the proposed block. I think you will agree that the aesthetic concept would not diminished by the addition of pebble dash.

According to reports, the scheme's architect, Trevor Horne (presumably not the chap of The Buggles fame) got a roasting when he appeared before the city's conservation and heritage panel.

"It's abominable," said Andy Foster, of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

"Great. We'll build two!" cried Whitby. (I made the last bit up.)

Horne conceded the nameless edifice was a "curious building". Apparently, it mirrors the 12th century burgage plots of this part of the city. It's amazing to think it has taken 800 years to turn burgage into garbage.

The 27-storey Salhia monstrosity is only part of the problem with the proposed redevelopment of the fag-end of Digbeth. The other is the name - for Sticklebrick Towers is part of the proposed Beorma Quarter, "beorma" being a 6th century Anglo-Saxon term for a "mish-mash, private/public sector partnership comprising uninspiring post-modern architectural claptrap."

Why couldn't they just call it the Digbeth Quarter. Digbeth is a greater name - it is what it is - and you can say it when you are drunk, unlike Beorma, which sounds like Bomber, which isn't a good word to utter in any city, especially Birmingham. Do these rebranding bods ever say the words they come up with. And who did come up with it? I'd love to know.