HC Deb 29 March 1960 vol 620 cc1110-1
3. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to enable the building site at Blandford Street, St. Marylebone, belonging to the London Electricity Board, to be developed, in view of the fact that for twelve years the London County Council has refused permission to complete the building, the steel structure for which was erected approximately fifteen years ago.

Mr. H. Brooke

This structure is the framework of a building specially designed before the war for the electricity department of the St. Marylebone Borough Council. The London Electricity Board, in which the property now vests, finds that it could not readily be adapted for its purposes and has in mind to dismantle it. I understand that a number of applications made by private developers for planning permission to develop the site have been refused by the London County Council. None of these applicants has exercised his right of appeal to me.

Sir W. Wakefield

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is really a public scandal that this site should have been unused for all these years? Is there anything that can be done to enable a building to be put up there as early as possible? Also, will my right hon. Friend ensure that when a new building is put up there is adequate garage accommodation and off-street parking facilities for cars?

Mr. Brooke

I have said that the London Electricity Board is thinking of dismantling the present structure, and anybody can put an application to the London County Council for the development of the site. I do not know why those who have applied hitherto and have been refused have not exercised their right of appeal. I certainly should consider very carefully any appeal that reached me.

Mr. Russell

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any application has been made for use of the site for a multi-storey garage and whether it could be used for that purpose?

Mr. Brooke

Not without notice.