LONDON’S TOWN-PLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 10

LONDON’S TOWN-PLAN.

THREAT TO VIEW OF ABBEY

L.C.C. COMMITTEE’S ALARM

COUNCIL ASKED TO INTERVENE

LONDON, March 26

A proposal for a town-planning scheme for' part of Westminster, near the Houses of- Parliament and the Ahbey, is recommended to the London ■County Council by' the Town Planning Committee. The Committee declare themselves “perturbed by certain proposals which have come to its notice for the erection of buildings in the vicinity of the House of Parliament and Westminister Abbey.”

'The area consists of 214 acres, of which more than two acres are open space, bounded — On the north by Great George Street and the north side of Parliament Square; •On the east by St. Margaret’s Street, Old Palace Yard, and .Abingdon Street; On the south by Wood Street and Little South Street; and

On the west by Great South ’Street, Broad Sanctuary, and Little George Street.

Eighteenth Century Houses.

The Committee state that one proposal is to demolish a terrace of eighteenth century houses in Abingdon Street of some architectural interest and “to erect in their place a building (for offices) about 100 feet in height, that is, more than twice the height of the existing buildings,” the Committee add:—

“We feel strongly that any buildings erected in this neighbourhood should be architecturally subordinated to the national monuments near by, and should not dominate them. The precincts of the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey have definite national significance, and are very dear to the denizens of London. “The area is unique in its wealth of architectural beauty and historical associations, and Is by many regarded as the centre of London, if not Indeed thg very heart of the Empire. “We think, therefore, that the Council would be failing in its duty if it did not take immediate steps to prevent, so far as lies in its power, the threatened spoliation of this part of London.”

Ten Btoreys.

Another proposal is for the ereotion of a block of ofiloes and research laboratories on a site facing Parliament Square. The site is at present occupied by four-storey buildings. It is proposed to demolish them and to erect a building of ten storeys, with an overall height of ill feet, or two and a-half times the height of the existing buildings.

“Such a building w,ould dominate Parliament Square, overtop the Government offices by some thirty feet, dwarf the Middlesex Guildhall and St. Margaret’s Church, reduce the apparent size of the square, and detract from the present view of the Abbey.”

The Committee conclude: — “We have come to the conclusion that the most effective means of combating the immediate peril, and protecting in the future the amenities of this part of London, would be at once to town plan the area. We accordingly suggest that this be done.”