NEW N.Z. HOUSE IN LONDON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28157, 21 December 1956, Page 12

NEW N.Z. HOUSE IN LONDON

Revised Plan May Be Approved

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 20. Plans for the New Zealand House building were discussed yesterday by the Town Planning Committee of the London County Council.

It is understood that the committee agreed that the type of building proposed was appropriate to the site—at the corner of the Haymarket and Pall Mall—and that it expressed a preference for the second of two designs that have been put forward.

The L.C.C. has no statutory powers in this case, because buildings on Crown Lands are exempt from planning control, but the newly-renamed Crown Estate Commissioners, who are the ground landlords, have said that they are anxious to have the views of the L.C.C. before making a decision. They disapproved of an earlier scheme, but have so far expressed no opinion on the various alternatives prepared by the architect. Professor R. H. Matthew. An early meeting between the commissioners and representatives of the New Zealand Government. in which the commissioners* views will be given, is expected. “The Times” said the second design, which the JL.C.C. is said to prefer, has a rectangular instead of an Lshaped tower. The earlier tower was broader and would look even more so when seen diagonally. ‘‘The Times" said the revised version was undoubtedly an improvement not only for this reason, but because it was lighter in treatment, being patterned all over with windows, whereas the first version included a staircase wall of solid brickwork pierced only by a small window on each floor.

It said the first version was the one preferred by the New Zealand Cabinet. The Cabinet, however, had not examined the second in detail and there was no reason to abandon its approval of the first.

If the Crown Estates Commissioners, after the favourable reception the revised scheme has received, decide not to oppose it in spite of the criticisms initially made by the Royal Fine Art Commissioner and others, it is likely that the New Zealand Government will be prepared to transfer its approval to the second scheme, “The Times” said.