HC Deb 22 March 1962 vol 656 cc537-40
7. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the London County Council has refused permission to demolish York Terrace West, York Gate West, Clarence Terrace and Sussex Place, the Crown Estate Commissioners will now develop these Nash Terraces on the lines they have adopted for Cumberland Terrace.

Mr. Brooke

I understand that appeals may be lodged against these decisions of the London County Council. In these circumstances, I cannot say at present on what lines the future development of these Terraces may take place.

Mr. Mitchison

Is not the right hon. Gentleman responsible for these appeals being lodged, and was not the proposal to demolish these terraces for private development something contrary both to the Gorell Report and to the Commissioner's own view in 1957 and 1958? I do not know why it was ever put forward. Will the right hon. Gentleman see, in the view of the success of what was done at Cumberland Terrace, that the elevation of these Terraces is now preserved on the same lines?

Mr. Brooke

There are later Questions on the Order Paper about the general policy of the Commissioners in this matter. As to the appeals, I am in no way responsible for the Commissioners having decided to appeal.

Mr. Mitchison

Surely the right hon. Gentleman could and should intervene to see that the elevation of these terraces is preserved and that the Commissioners adhere to their own policy in 1958 and do not get led away from it by private development proposals which are in the worst possible interests of the aesthetic appearance of this part of London?

Mr. Brooke

Perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will await the reply to the further Question which his hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) has put down.

12. Mr. Parker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Crown Commissioners will arrange for the preservation of the façades and redevelopment of the interior of the Nash Terraces around Regent's Park.

14. Dr. Stross

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the restoration of the Nash Terraces in Regent's Park since the statement of policy made by the Crown Estate Commissioners in 1957, giving as much detail as possible; and whether the Commissioners propose to continue with this work as formulated in 1957, or whether restoration and reconstruction is to be handed over to private developers.

Mr. Brooke

I am informed that the Crown Estate Commissioners have in mind to make a further statement shortly, after they have had time to review this problem in the light of an appreciation of the technical and financial considerations which is now being prepared for them.

Mr. Parker

Will the Minister and the Commissioners bear in mind the desirability of treating these terraces as a whole?

Mr. Brooke

They do, of course, vary. They are different terraces and originally the Crown Estate Commissioners wished to rule out the idea of constructing replicas, but I understand that the technical advice obtained since then suggests that some of the terraces may need to be rebuilt behind replica façades. This has been accepted in principle by the Royal Fine Art Commission, but not by the London County Council, which has refused planning permission, and that is now a possible subject of appeal.

Dr. Stross

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind and ask the Commissioners to bear in mind that they made a very good job of the redevelopment of Cumberland Terrace and apparently received 5 per cent. or 6 per cent. return on their money? We are afraid that redevelopment in private hands will means extortionate rents which only a few people will ever be able to afford. This is an important principle.

Mr. Brooke

The Crown Estate Commissioners made no secret of the fact that they might need to turn to private developers in certain cases, but I suggest to the House that the best thing to do is to await the statement which the Commissioners have promised to make and then examine the matter afresh in the light of that.

Sir T. Moore

Surely neither the Government nor the House would permit the shocking vandalism which would be involved in destroying the lovely façades of these old houses at any time?

Mr. Brooke

The question is what can best be done with these terraces, which are not all identical in structure. I think we would wish that, if they are being restored, they will be restored with the prospect of a good long life. This is one of the matters on which the Crown Estate Commissioners are now obtaining technical advice.

Mr. Deedes

As a matter of interest, has my right hon. Friend seen any financial details of these proposals? Has he any reason to doubt that what is proposed in the way of construction would make a perfectly viable financial proposition?

Mr. Brooke

In my experience, the Crown Estate Commissioners pay proper regard to the financial out-turn of what they have in mind.

Mr. Mitchison

As the preservation of the beauty of Cumberland Terrace has paid, could not the Treasury and the Crown Estate Commissioners between them find a little money in order to preserve it in these other terraces?

Mr. Brooke

This is a technical matter. It is not just a financial matter. Some of these terraces are better built than others. If money is to be spent on them, it should be so spent that the new buildings will have a long lease of life.