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FOR: Brooks’s Club, 1778 – a ‘suitably sophisticated building’ |
‘Defenders’ of St James’s draw up their list of likes and dislikes
Trust’s architectural blueprint claims modern buildings harm historic area
A CONSERVATION group in St James’s has laid down the gauntlet to developers in a new architectural masterplan for the area, warning “modern buildings are destroying its character”.
Commissioned by the St James’s Conservation Trust, it is intended as a blueprint for planners and developers – setting out design principles against which they want new developments to be measured.
Masterminded by architect Peter Heath, who is also overseeing the redesign of Leicester Square, Architecture Suitable For St James’s claims “modern materials” and “glass frontages” are detrimental to St James’s. It includes a rap sheet of glass and concrete edifices, including the Economist building and the Cavendish Hotel.
The trust wants new buildings to fit in with “the spirit of St James”, with no “excessive” height and only using modern designs where necessary.
The report says: “There are always commercial motives for monolithic redevelopment, but there is no public interest in allowing the further cramming of disproportionately large offices, with their attendant vast increase of daily workers, into the small core of St James’s, a precious jewel created for a less crowded way of life, which they destroy.”
Trust secretary Brian Woodham said: “There seems to be a tendency for developers to go taller and bulkier, but we can’t have that in St James’s.
“The pressure to build skyscrapers is obviously increasing and has some quite powerful supporters. Needlessly to say we think it should be resisted at all cost. What we are not saying is ruling out all modern buildings – merely that St James’s has a history and that should be respected. The report is really just a guide but we hope it will be taken on board by developers who might have other ideas.”
The report has been welcomed by heritage groups and the council.
A spokesperson from English Heritage said: “English Heritage has long supported the aims and ambitions of the trust to promote high standards of design and stewardship in all proposals which might affect the outstanding architectural and historic interest of St James’s.”
Westminster council planning chief Rosemarie MacQueen, said it welcomed the trust’s aspirations to preserve and enhance the historic character of the area. “The document provides a useful stimulus for debate on what constitutes good design…” |
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