|
|
 |
| |
An artist’s impression of how the controversial new
building will look
Comedian Kenneth Williams
Architect Sir Terry Farrell |
Carry On star's home goes to make way
for 'Terry's Tower'
Fears that Regent’s Park
could become a Central Park flanked by skyscrapers
THE former home of Carry On film star Kenneth Williams
is to be bulldozed as part of a controversial development in
Euston and Regent’s Park being spearheaded by renowned
architect Sir Terry Farrell.
Williams’ former apartment in Marlborough House in Osnaburgh
Street, will be demolished to make way for new buildings, including
a high-rise residential block dubbed ‘Terry’s Tower’
by opponents of the development.
Councillors sitting on the Town Hall’s planning committee
approved the changes in a knife-edge 6-5 vote on Thursday, despite
warnings that the new tower would wreck views from Regent’s
Park.
The site, to be developed by owners British Land and the Crown
Estate, stretches across Osnaburgh Street, Longford Street,
Euston Road and Albany Street.
Voting against the scheme, Liberal Democrat councillor Flick
Rea told the planning meeting she was opposed to any development
that could turn Regent’s Park into Central Park, the green
space in New York flanked by skyscrapers.
She said: “It seems like a really good scheme. It has something
for everyone, affordable housing and social and community things.
But I don’t see the justification for the tower. It looks
like a flattened-off leaning Tower of Pisa.
“It’s not Central Park. There are not towers all around
Regent’s Park. I hope Regent’s Park doesn’t ever
get to look like Central Park.”
Westminster Council and Regent’s Park Conservation Area
Advisory Committee (RPCAAC) have also expressed concern about
the development. Stephen Crisp, from RPCAAC, told the meeting:
“The scheme appears to be a 20-storey tower block. It spoils
important views of the landscape and park. To damage these views
for no good reason would be quite shameful. It does not need
a tower.”
Comedian Kenneth Williams lived for almost 20 years in Marlborough
House, one of several buildings to be knocked down. He was found
dead there in 1988 after an overdose of sleeping pills, possibly
taken accidentally.
The building was later fitted with an English Heritage blue
plaque in his honour.
Steven Arnold, from The Kenneth Williams Appreciation Society,
said: “It is certainly a shame that his last home is to
go under the bulldozer, but I wonder whether Kenneth would be
as worried.
“His diaries are riddled with entries about the various
flats he occupied, and the problems that drove him mad with
each – noise and neighbours.”
Sir Terry’s planning team said the apartments had some
merit but the new scheme would bring more benefits. One of the
new buildings will be a community arts centre and a youth theatre.
The application for planning permission was backed by the West
Euston Partnership, a community group on which residents, businesses,
faith leaders, police and healthcare providers are represented.
Defending the planned tower block, Sir Terry, a guest at former
council leader Dame Jane Roberts’ £11,000 leaving
party last month, told Thursday’s meeting: “The changing
character of London is that there are towers. Many of them are
quite liked.
“A lot of towers have been listed. They form London landmarks.
They are part of the character of London and the way it is reacting
to our day and age.” |
|
|
|
