HC Deb 06 December 1937 vol 330 cc24-6
55. Sir William Davison

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the proposal to erect a telephone exchange in The Boltons, South Kensington, a rural residential district specially reserved for private residences only under the Town Planning Acts; whether he is aware of the strong public feeling at the overriding special powers of the Crown being used to nullify the express intentions of the Town Planning Acts in opposition to the views of the council of the Royal Borough of Kensington and of the private residents in the district in question; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to secure another site for the proposed exchange in a position not specially reserved for private residences and gardens?

Major Tryon

Yes, Sir. It is not a fact that the prerogative of the Crown has been invoked in this matter. The scheme has been approved by the Town Planning Authority concerned subject to certain stipulations which have been accepted. I deprecate the suggestion implicit in the hon. Member's question that the Post Office is proceeding in this matter without regard for the interests and convenience of residents in the Boltons. An undertaking has already been given that the design of the building will be appropriate to its surroundings and that it will not be higher than the houses round about it. The trees surrounding the site will remain and the spare ground about the building will be laid out in an attractive fashion. The exchange will be an automatic one and it has been made clear that no staff other than a few engineering workmen will be employed there. Exhaustive search has failed to disclose a suitable alternative site, and I am satisfied that it is essential in the interests of telephone users in the locality that matters should now proceed.

Sir W. Davison

Is the right hon. and gallant Member aware that this particular locality has been town planned for private residences since 1932 and that recently five applications for the use of houses as nursing homes, and for blocks of flats have been refused? Now the Post Office come in and propose to put up a red-brick building entirely out of keeping with the surrounding property and contrary to the views of the local authority and local residents.

Major Tryon

The plans have been approved by the town planning authority, and I have no doubt that the building will be an ornament to the hon. Member's constituency.

Sir W. Davison

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that they have not been approved by the Kensington local planning authority, of which I happen to be chairman, and that the local residents have petitioned against it? Is he aware that there are business premises a few hundred yards away which are equally suitable, but at rather a higher price?

Mr. Bellenger

Has the Postmaster-General made inquiries as to the actual site of the proposed telephone exchange? Is he aware that it is not proposed to put it actually in the neighbourhood called The Boltons, but adjacent to it?

Major Tryon

My hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General has been down and personally gone into this matter on the spot.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Can we be assured that when this telephone exchange is put up there will be no one listening in to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) telephoning?

Sir W. Davison

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the first available opportunity.