§ 36. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now take the necessary steps to preserve Charles Dickens' house, 1, Devonshire Terrace, W.1, from demolition, in view of the notification received from the London County Council.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe London County Council, as local planning authority, decided not to make a preservation order in respect of this house, and after carefully considering all the circumstances I reached a similar conclusion.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will give acute disappointment to a large number of people? Is he aware that this terrace of only three houses was scheduled, as recently as October, 1954, as comprising buildings of special architectural and historic interest? Is not this decision of the right hon. Gentleman's making absolute nonsense of town planning legislation?
§ Mr. BrookeThe decision which I have to make is whether to use my default powers. The London County Council, which is the planning authority, decided not to make a building preservation order
in view of the architectural character of the premises, which have been substantially altered since they were built in the late eighteenth century, and of the existence of other houses in London and the provinces devoted to the memory of Charles Dickens.