THAMES EMBANKMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19352, 4 September 1934, Page 7

THAMES EMBANKMENT

PLANS TO IMPROVE. WESTMINSTER TO WATERLOO. £1,435,000 PLANNING SCHEME. Plans for a new Thames Embankment on the south aide of the river, from Westminster Bridge to the new Waterloo Bridge, are referred to in a report avhlch will be laid before the London County Council, says a London paper. It is proposed compulsorily to acquire unsightly buildings and Improve the appearance of the south bank of the Thames between these two bridges, and the Highways Committee reoommend that legislation be promoted In the next Parliamentary session to aoquire by compulsion certain property in the area concerned.

In their report the Committee state: "It has long been recognised that this section of the south bank of the Thames is overdue for re-development appropriate to its important geographical position, and that its present unsightly appearance is unworthy of its unique position on the river in the heart of London. Re-planning the Area. "One of the factors which led to the . Biting of the County Hall on the south bank of the river was the hope that it would prove the nucleus of a widespread movement towards re-planning the south bank of the river at this point pn -lines comparable with the improvements which followed on the . north side after .the construction of the Victoria Embankment. “This Improvement, unfortunately, has not yet eventuated, and we feel that positive steps should be taken to .secure an advance from the present position of this area. "Portions of the properties in the area which are held on leases of vary-, jng lengths, will shortly come up 'for re-development. While it is not possible Without careful study to put forward any specific plan for the area, we . feel that the Council should, withoul delay, ensure that the property in question is safe-guarded against piecemeal and haphazard building operations, and the consequent creation of new interests, which might run counter to- any comprehensive plan that may be finally,adopted, and might thereby render prohibitive in cost the execution of a desirable lay-out. "Although, there are many leasehold interests in this area, the freehold is in the hands in part of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, in part of Jesus College, Oxford, in part of the Southern Railway Company, and in part of miscellaneous owners. Of these owners, the Ecclesiastical Commissioner, and Jesus College, Oxford, hold by far the greatest area.” “Dignity and Beauty.” The committee point out that adequate c.Qptrol over the future developSnent of the site could be 'exerclsod ..only by a freehold interest being invested in a single owner. . The proposals, it is stated, - would facilitate the extension -of the embankment terrace, which now ends at the County Hall, along the whole length of the river to the new Waterloo Bridge ■ (and this work could only bb undertaken by a public authority. If this extension were made, a considerable area of the river foreshore might be reclaimed for inclusion in the site available for re-development, and a step would be taken to bring dignity and beauty to this part of London. The Council (the Committee say) should take the responsibility of wielding the proper influence -in this matter, and, to that, end, should seek powers in the next session of Parliament for the compulsory acquisition of the freehold Interests and the acquisition by agreement of the other interests in the property concerned. The estimated cost of acquiring all these interests «ro £1,435,000. -