§ 2.51 p.m.
§ Baroness PHILLIPSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will institute a public inquiry into the proposed plans for the playing fields of St. Paul's School.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)No, my Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment agreed to look into the GLC's proposals for developing the St. Paul's School site, following represent- 434 tations from Hammersmith Borough Council who were concerned about over-development. Representations were also received from local residents over the loss of open land. The GLC have now agreed to reduce the housing density on the site supported by Hammersmith Borough Council. The ILEA have also agreed to make the South-West corner of the site available for recreational purposes until it is required for development. The Secretary of State hopes these measures will go far towards meeting local objections and has decided to take no further action in the matter.
§ Baroness PHILLIPSMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that very disappointing reply—I am lucky enough not to have a Lord-in-Waiting sitting behind me—may I ask her whether she is aware that a very large number of local residents called for this public inquriry? Surely my noble friend will be aware that there can be no real difficulty in announcing a decision following a public inquiry. Secondly, may I ask whether my noble friend is aware that, in the present climate of opinion, to spend money on educational purposes where there are additional and alternative sites, appears to be very short-sighted?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, in answer to the first of my noble friend's questions, the Secretary of State could not call in the proposals for his own decision since deemed planning permission had been granted. Therefore, the point at which a public inquiry of the kind my noble friend wants has gone by. Agreement was reached in January 1971. The previous Government were in Office, but they had particular regard to the housing gain which would arise from the proposed development. If I may deal with the second point of my noble friend, regarding the additional cost, she will be aware that this has been going on for a considerable number of years. Loan charges on the delay are now costing in the region of £5,000 a week. My noble friend possibly saw the other day the letter in the New Statesman from the leader of Hammersmith Borough Council which pointed out that this was the best possible "mix" by lessening the housing density and also by making the site available for education. Incidentally, two acres of that site can be used for open 435 space until it is ready to be rebuilt upon, and eventually 2,500 students will be housed there. Although I appreciate the demands for open space and am well aware of how some residents feel, because of the needs of housing and education I think that in all the circumstances the decision reached is the right one.
§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that this is a unique opportunity to preserve a piece of open space in a very overcrowded borough and that to miss this opportunity puts a grave responsibility on all concerned? Would not the noble Baroness agree that this land was purchased originally by the then London County Council wth the object of providing 10 acres of open space? Would not the noble Baroness also agree that there are plenty of other opportunities for education and other facilities throughout London, since there are many derelict sites and empty houses, and that it is very wrong to use open space in this way?
§ Baroness BIRKNo, my Lords, the noble Lord is wrong. The London County Council purchaser offered the site to Hammersmith Borough Council who could not afford to buy it for open space. Also, the idea that this land has been used as open space and suddenly snatched away is quite wrong. When it was used by St. Paul's School it was visually open space but was used by nobody except the school. It is a problem, but I know that the noble Lord is aware that certainly in London the overwhelming demand for housing and education must take priority. There will be four acres of open space, in any case.
§ Lord AVEBURYMy Lords, will the noble Baroness agree that even with the amount of open space which it has now been decided to leave on this site the borough will still be relatively poorly endowed with open space as a whole, at less than the recommended minimum allowed by the GLC? Reverting to the Question which was asked by the noble Baroness, will the Minister consider whether the educational requirements which will be satisfied on this site might not just as well be taken care of in the teacher training colleges which it is now proposed to close elsewhere in Greater 436 London, for which no other use has been found?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, on the last point, I understand that all these colleges are now scattered around in about 30 buildings. I have already explained that two acres will remain for open space purposes for the next 15 years. The provision of open space is a great problem in many boroughs but agreement has now been reached between the GLC and Hammersmith Borough Council. I have also been into the matter very closely and in detail in my Department. Although I have great sympathy with providing as much open space as possible, in the circumstances I believe that this is the best possible decision.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, will my noble friend say whether any provision has been made on this site for allotment gardens?