§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether the plans for the proposed new building for the headquarters of the Royal College of Physicians, on the east side of Regent's Park, have been approved by him.
§ Mr. BrookeThis proposal has been referred to me by the London County Council because it constitutes a departure from the approved development plan, in which this area is allocated for residential use. It involves the demolition of Someries House, which was originally designed by Nash as an adult orphanage, but little remains of his design; it has been extensively altered and is now used as Government offices. In 1946 the Gorrell Committee reported that this building could and should be demolished. This view was accepted by the Crown Estate Commissioners, who decided to choose a skilled developer, advised by an architect acceptable to them, to redevelop the site in harmony with the surrounding Nash buildings and Terraces.
The scheme of redevelopment has been prepared by Messrs. Denys Lasdun and Partners for the Royal College of Physicians. The Royal Fine Art Commission say that it is well satisfied with the design: it feels that it would be acceptable as a neighbour to the Regency Buildings which are to be preserved. The Crown Estate Commissioners have given their consent to the plans. It is intended that all the trees on the western boundary facing Regent's Park shall be retained. The St. Pancras Borough Council has no objection, subject to questions of access and the London County Council is disposed to grant planning permission. Before I authorise it to do so, I have arranged for a small model of the building and its setting to be exhibited in the Upper Waiting Hall from tomorrow for one week, so that hon. Members may have the chance to see the design for this important proposed building and its relationship to the Nash Terraces.