§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what letters he has received from those anxious to preserve the Theatre Royal in Portsmouth, following his recent decision in relation to it; what replies he has sent; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have received a letter from the Chairman of the Theatre Royal Society who complained that the Portsmouth Corporation was not assisting his society and that the owners were not keeping the theatre in repair. The reply sent to him set out the terms of my decision on the application for consent to demolish the theatre and also the powers open to a local planning authority if it appeared to it that a listed building was not being properly preserved. In accepting my inspector's recommendation to refuse consent for the demolition of the Theatre Royal, I also accepted his conclusions one of which was that a further period of one year should be given as a last opportunity of finding a use for the building. In view of the possibility of a further application regarding the future of this building coming 19W before me at a later stage, I cannot add to the decision I have already given.