HC Deb 31 January 1961 vol 633 cc761-2
28. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the present position of the plans for the development of Piccadilly Circus.

Mr. Brooke

I understand that the proposals of Sir William Holford, who has been engaged as consultant by the London County Council, have not yet been submitted in final form to the council, but that he has informally explained his provisional proposals to members of the council and is now proceeding to consult with some of the interests mainly concerned.

Mr. Grimond

Can the Minister tell us the position of the developer, Mr. Cotton? Is he preparing plans to rival those of Sir William Holford? Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel some concern about the delay in this matter and the apparent indefiniteness about the future course either of the Holford plan or, indeed, of whatever plan Mr. Cotton may produce?

Mr. Brooke

I do not think that it is fair to talk about delay. Sir William Holford was given a very large task, and I think that public opinion, and the opinion of the House in general, was behind the idea that somebody should prepare a comprehensive plan. I cannot tell, because I am not responsible for it, exactly what Mr. Cotton is doing, but I explained that, according to my under- standing, Sir William Holford is now ready to consult some of the developers and other interests concerned.

Mr. Grimond

I did not imply any criticism of Sir William. Can we be assured that, if his plan is acceptable to the local authority, it will in fact be the basis for future development of the Circus, or will the local authority have to go back to the developer and start the whole process all over again?

Mr. Brooke

My difficulty is that nothing is before me at the moment. All that I know is what I have read in the newspapers and what I have been told by the London County Council. However, I think that the general view would be that the council has acted rightly in engaging a consultant and that it is wise for that consultant Ito discuss with would-be developers how their ideas might fit in with his.