HL Deb 22 June 1973 vol 343 cc1577-8

11.6 a.m.

LORD STRABOLGI

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 when it is proposed to renovate Sandford Manor in the London Borough of Hammersmith.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, this is primarily a matter for the local planning authority, who I understand are still negotiating with the owners. The Department of the Environment are willing to give any help they can, for example, through the Historic Buildings Bureau, if a new use is sought. I cannot comment further because some of the statutory procedures which could arise, such as a refusal of a further listed building consent, or compulsory acquisition, would involve my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply, but is he aware that this is now the third year that I have raised this matter? Will the Government urge the Borough Council to serve a repair notice on the developers, or at least to get the developers to grant a repairing lease, possibly to some other body, while the main planning application is being considered? Or are the developers interested only in the site value?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I understand that the owners are having discussions with the London Borough of Hammersmith about stopping further deterioration of the building. The possibilities that the noble Lord mentions are, clearly, possibilities for the council concerned, but discussions are now going on about a use to which the building could be put and about who should operate the enterprise which might come out of this.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, regarding the use, are the Government aware that, apart from the value and interest of the house, there is an extensive garden which, although now a wilderness, contains about 20 plane trees and a 500-year-old mulberry and an ancient pear tree which would be of great interest to the public because there is no other public garden in the vicinity? Is it not time the Secretary of State stepped in and did something?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I must congratulate the noble Lord on the persistence and interest that he shows. I think that his persistence gets its reward because it keeps interest alive. The Secretary of State is well aware—as are also the G.L.C. and the Borough—that as the use that they are contemplating involves eating and drinking, the garden and the trees will no doubt be an added amenity.

LORD STRANGE

My Lords, the developers are interested only in money, not in pear trees.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

That is what planning controls are for.

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