§ LORD AMULREEMy 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 how they reconcile the present state of Cavendish Square with the provisions of the London Squares Preservation Act 1931.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, by reference to Section 3(2) of the Act, which specifically permits works to be carried out beneath the Squares of London, including the erection of temporary buildings and the provision of entrances, exits and ventilation shafts. The disturbance during the construction is of course to be regretted, but my right honourable friend is satisfied that, once the work of restoration following the construction of an underground car park and the construction of the Victoria Line has been completed, the state of Cavendish Square will in no way offend against the provisions of the London Squares Preservation Act.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I cannot give very profound thanks to the noble Lord for that reply, but I should like to ask him two questions. First, is it proposed that the new carriageways and pedestrian islands at each corner of the Square will be taken away, and that the land will be restored to the normal use that existed before? Secondly, can the noble Lord say what amount of land will have been taken from the gardens of the 514 Square—when these further road works are completed?
§ LORD SANDFORDVirtually none, my Lords. The perimeter of the Square, which has now been enclosed by, I think the noble Lord will agree, a much more sightly wall than was there before, is almost exactly the same area as was there before. It is quite true, of course, that further works have been installed inside the Square. But I think the noble Lord will also agree that, when the area has been grassed over and re-landscaped, this will look a great deal more attractive than it does at the moment. I do not know when the noble Lord last saw the Square, but there has already been a tremendous improvement from the condition we have had to put up with for the last three or four years.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, once again I cannot give the noble Lord very deep thanks, but I will certainly visit the Square again. I last saw it about a week ago.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, can my noble friend tell me whether it will be possible to plant trees of any size when the site is in normal use again, or is the car park so close to the surface that the drainage of the car park will affect the trees, as has been the case with some trees in Cadogan Square?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords; it is fully intended to replant and to landscape the Square and eventually get it back very much to the condition it was in before. It is very much regretted that, in addition to the two trees which had to be sacrificed in order to undertake this work, three more trees were lost by accident during the construction, and three more were lost as a result of disease, which had nothing to do with the construction.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord can tell me what is the expert opinion among those who understand these things as to the possibility of replacing with forest trees the trees which have been removed from the Square?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, there is no reason why that should not be done. The fact that several large trees are still standing and are in good condition after all this work shows that it is perfectly 515 possible to grow full-sized trees in the Square again.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, is not the noble Lord aware that the damage might not show as yet, and that the subterranean constructions under the Square will prevent the satisfactory growth of anything but the smallest shrubs?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords, I do not think there is any evidence to lead one to come to that conclusion.
§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I ask the Government whether they are aware that in Cavendish Square, which I happened to sec yesterday, the only trees now remaining are the few in the middle of the Square? And are they also aware that the whole beauty and design of the Square garden is now lost? Will they give an assurance that no further underground garages will be constructed under London Squares, whatever promises may have been given beforehand?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords; I cannot give any such undertaking; for applicants for these Squares have a right of appeal to my right honourable friend. But I can assure the noble Lord and the House that any scheme of this nature will be subject to the most critical examination. I am sure that we all want to preserve the character of the London Squares.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, does my noble friend agree with me that the London Squares were among the great glories of our capital and one of the principal contributions of English genius to the grammar of town planning, and will he take great care that these wider interests are not sacrificed for the temporary convenience of motorists?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, the whole House is certainly aware of what the noble Lord has said, and I will certainly take the very greatest care to bear it in mind.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will also take great care in regard to accidents to trees? Are any statistics published on this particular aspect? Such accidents seem rather unnecessary. May 516 I also ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that both his Government and mine share the responsibility? That being so, I hope that he will undertake to do his utmost to restore the Square to as nearly similar a state as possible to that which existed previously.
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, certainly, my Lords. It is important to bear in mind that in the case of this particular Square (and I am sure that the noble Lord, Lord Greenwood of Rossendale, when he gave permission for this work to be carried out, also had this very much in mind) there were two hazards to be met. First of all, there was the construction of the Victoria Line; and it was during this much larger operation that the accident occurred which led to the loss of two large trees and one medium-sized one. Nevertheless, there is a degree of hazard all the time when underground works are undertaken in London Parks and Squares. Valuable lessons have been learnt and a great deal of care will be taken in future if any more of this work is done.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the nature of the accident to the trees?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords, if the noble Lord will undertake not to draw me any further to-day. The loss of the largest tree was occasioned by an accidental fire occurring immediately underneath it.