§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What development is planned for the site of Abbey House, Victoria Street, SW1, which is now being demolished.
§ Baroness BIRKA new Abbey House consisting of offices and shops is to be built on this site. The height and scale of the new building will be in keeping with surrounding developments. Because of the special character of this important site the developer's architects have paid particular attention to the design. Following public exhibition of the scheme, Westminster City Council granted the necessary planning permission. Construction is expected to take three years.