HL Deb 15 January 1980 vol 404 cc93-5WA
The Earl of GOSFORD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any schemes or studies which show that it is possible to develop the site of the Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden profitably by retaining the Hall and the community, sports and recreation facilities currently housed in it.

Whether they are aware that the Greater London Council has drawn up a short list of developers for the Jubilee Hall site in Covent Garden, and that all the proposals being considered include the demolition of the Hall and the wholesale redevelopment of the site; and whether it is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment to grant permission for the demolition of this building, which as an integral part of the Covent Garden Piazza is in a conservation area.

Whether a developer is required to apply to the Greater London Council for permission to demolish the Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden; whether the Greater London Council is in a position to act impartially when receiving a request for such permission since the Greater London Council has itself encouraged developers to submit schemes which include the demolition of the Hall; and whether the Greater London Council would be in breach of planning regulations if it sought to grant permission for demolition of the Hall as part of a scheme from which the Greater London Council is seeking financial gain.

Lord BELLWIN

The Greater London Council have produced a planning brief for the Jubilee Hall site which, in accordance with the Covent Garden Action Area Plan, envisages the demolition of Jubilee Hall. A number of development proposals were submitted in response to that planning brief, including at least two which would have retained the Hall itself and its sports facilities. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is aware that the short-listed proposals being considered by the Council would involve demolition of Jubilee Hall, but the selection of a suitable developer for the site rests solely with the Greater London Council. However, I understand that the Council have now decided to require prospective developers to include the provision of sports facilities in the redevelopment of the site.

In addition to obtaining planning permission a developer would require listed building consent to demolish Jubilee Hall before proceeding since Jubilee Hall lies within a conservation area. The relevant statute is Section 277A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 as amended by the Town and Country Amenities Act 1974. If the Greater London Council were to make an application for demolition they would need the consent of my right hon. friend. Any other application would be determined by the Greater London Council who are the local planning authority for the Covent Garden area.

Under Regulation 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Buildings in Conservation Areas) Regulations 1977, the Greater London Council would have to advertise an application for listed building consent and in determining the application would have to take into account any representations received before the period stipulated in the regulations had elapsed. In assessing whether or not consent should be granted they must have regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area in which the building is situated (Section 277(8) of the 1971 Act). The Secretary of State may intervene by making a direction under paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 11 of the 1971 Act that the application be referred to him instead of being dealt with by the Greater London Council.

The Earl of GOSFORD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will specify the buildings around the piazza, Covent Garden, which are listed by the Department of the Environment and those which are not and whether consideration has been given to listing any of the latter.

Lord BELLWIN

The following buildings round the square arc listed:—

North Side

  • 1–6 The Piazza
  • 33 James Street
  • 43 King Street
  • Floral Hall (SW corner)

East Side

  • Flower Market

South Side

  • 3–6 Henrietta Street

West Side

  • St. Paul's Church

Centre

  • Market buildings

The remainder, not listed, are as follows:—

North Side

  • Building between James Street and Mart Street

East Side

  • 11, 12 Russell Street

South Side

  • Jubilee Hall
  • Building between the Jubilee Hall and the Flower Market
  • 2 Henrietta Street

West Side

  • 1 King Street
  • WC adjoining St. Paul's Church
  • 34 Henrietta Street.

The whole of the Covent Garden development area was thoroughly inspected in 1972 and over 200 buildings were added to the statutory list. Of the buildings round the piazza only the Jubilee Hall has been reconsidered but no decision has been taken to list it.