HL Deb 27 November 1962 vol 244 cc1100-1
LORD BOSSOM

My 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 will give consideration to the construction of a new major thoroughfare on the South Bank of the Thames, extending from the south end of Westminster Bridge or an adjacent bridge to the south end of London Bridge; and whether the segment of land so formed between this new thoroughfare and the river could be specially available for skyscrapers, so avoiding the siting of these tall buildings in inappropriate or historic parts of London.]

LORD HASTINGS

My Lords, responsibility for the construction of major roads in the Administrative County of London rests with the London County Council. The Council have not put forward any proposal for a road on the lines envisaged by my noble friend.

That is no reason why applications should not be made for the erection of high buildings along the South Bank if developers so desire. They would fall to be considered under the London County Council's revised criteria relating to high buildings. My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, is not in favour of rigid plans which try to lay down where tall buildings may or may not be built. He agrees with the London County Council that all such applications should be considered on their merits against the background of stated criteria.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for the Answer, stating that the London County Council is the initiator of such activities, is my noble friend aware that if that were suggested to them by his Department they would give it very serious consideration, because it would vastly improve the rateable value of that property, it would ease the transit of traffic to the City, and it would be of benefit to the entire community?

LORD HASTINGS

My Lords, I have no doubt that the London County Council will take note of my noble friend's remarks, which will be read also by my right honourable friend.