§ 27. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Agriculture under what circumstances the Commissioners of Crown Lands have decided to let No. 4, Carlton Gardens to a firm of paint manufacturers; whether it is proposed to change the residential character of Carlton Gardens and Carlton House Terrace as the leases fall in in order to convert them into business premises; whether the Commissioners are advised that larger rentals will thus be obtained, or what is the reason for the change in policy with regard to this property; and whether he will assure the House that the facade of the new building to be erected on the site of No. 4, Carlton Gardens will harmonise with the remaining part of Carlton Gardens and Carlton House Terrace?
§ Major ELLIOTThe Commissioners of Crown Lands have entered into a building agreement with Pinchin, Johnson and Company, Limited, for the erection of a block of offices on the site of 4, Carlton Gardens. This house had stood empty for nearly two and a-half years and the Commissioners were advised that it was impossible to let it as a private residence, except possibly at a rent far below the bare site value, by reason of the heavy expenditure necessary to bring the premises up to the standard of modern requirements. The Commissioners are satisfied that the property will show a much higher return if it is rebuilt as proposed than as a private residence. In the design of the new building the considerations mentioned in the last past of the question were kept in view and the elevation was submitted to and approved by the Royal Fine Art Commission. Similar considerations apply to certain of the houses in Carlton House Terrace, but no general decision has so far been taken with regard to the future development of 1428 this property. I am advised that legislation would probably be necessary before new buildings could be erected on the Carlton House Terrace site, and accordingly the House may rest assured that it will have an opportunity of considering the proposals. A layout plan and elevational drawings will no doubt be made available to Members.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that this new building stands some 50 feet above the other premises in the Gardens: that there is a clause in the lease on these houses laying down that they shall be used as private houses only; and does he think it fair to the other tenants who rely on that covenant in their leases to have sky-scraping business premises put down without any warning?
§ Major ELLIOTI am aware that there are considerable difficulties in the whole of this site, and I shall be willing to discuss the question with my hon. Friend, but I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that in other estates of this kind the leases are arranged to fall in together so that the character of the whole site can be changed at one time, and so that tenants taking houses for a definite purpose are not prejudiced by finding another lease for a different purpose suddenly taken next door?