§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied with the results that are being achieved by the existing form of planning control now in operation in London, particularly with regard to the new visual effects created within the Whitehall square mile due to the presence of the several new skyscrapers which have recently been erected without any apparent consideration being given to the existence in the vicinity of many famous historic buildings and places; and, if Her Majesty's Government are not satisfied, whether they will stop any more such buildings being constructed until some other effective form of planning control has been introduced.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government do not contend that there is no room for improvement in the existing form of control for high buildings. I informed the noble Lord, in reply to his Question on May 22, that the criteria by which proposals are judged are being reconsidered by the London County Council in the light of experience. I understand that the Town Planning Committee will be submitting 1162 a full report to the Council shortly, following consultation with the Royal Fine Art Commission on a draft restatement of principles.
My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is satisfied that further action or discussion on this matter should await the new statement.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for the information he has just given to the House, may I ask him if he can go a little further and say whether the Government are satisfied with what has happened so far? Or are we to assume that they are satisfied?
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, while again thanking my noble friend for that comment, may I ask whether he does not agree that it is important that no more destruction shall be done to the beauty of London before a revised system of control is introduced?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I think it would be extremely difficult, indeed impracticable, to defer consideration of applications for high buildings while the present criteria are being considered by the London County Council. I understand that applicants have a statutory right to have their applications dealt with by the planning authority within two months, unless they agree to an extension of that period, and that if their applications are not dealt with within two months they have a right of appeal; and, of course, in the case of existing applications for buildings which have not been built but which have been approved there would be the question of compensation in addition. Therefore, I do not think that my noble friend's suggestion is really practicable.
§ LORD MOTTISTONEMy Lords, would Her Majesty's Government consider looking into and evolving for the Whitehall area, about which the noble Lord has just asked his Question, something on the lines of the scheme which is operating so successfully in the City of London, by mutual agreement 1163 between the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's and the City Corporation, for the preservation of the views of the Cathedral from the south?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, we should of course be glad to look into that suggestion; but I really feel that it would be better to await the statement of principles from the L.C.C., upon which they are working at this moment, before coming to any final decision in this matter.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, is it not a fact that a quite satisfactory system has been worked out for Washington and for Paris? Is it not also a fact that the Minister has overruled precautions that have already been introduced to try to protect London? This is a most important matter, and I cannot urge upon the Minister too strongly that we must try to preserve what we have, because we can never replace it, once we have defaced and defiled it by putting up undesirable buildings in what I suggest are the wrong places. Let buildings be put up if they want them put up, but not in the wrong places.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, naturally I sympathise with my noble friend's concern about this matter. I hope that what I have said indicates that the Government themselves are deeply interested in it. But I would urge on my noble friend that what suits the inhabitants of Paris or of Washington does not necessarily suit the inhabitants of London. We must apply criteria which fit the circumstances of London.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, is the House to deduce, from what the noble Earl has said, that the Government consider these buildings do suit London, as opposed to Paris. Do the Government think that these skyscrapers are really worthy of London?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I should have thought that if my noble friend had listened to my reply to the first supplementary question he would not have needed to put that question to me.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I put that question deliberately; because the answer given by the noble Earl to the second supplementary question implied 1164 that the planning authority thought they could not turn down an application because delay would involve compensation, and I do not know what. If the noble Earl looks at what he said, he will find that what I am saying is correct.
EARL JELLICOEUnfortunately, I am unable at this moment to look at what I said. All I was pointing out was that there were great difficulties involved, practical difficulties and difficulties of compensation, which made it extremely doubtful whether it would be sensible to follow the specific suggestion made by my noble friend about delaying action until these criteria have been published.
§ LORD KILLEARNThank you very much.