THE TEMPORARYTHE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 1 HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

www.savebritainsheritage.orgJune 2019 2 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

£400m to demolish and replace SAVE Britain’s Heritage is extremely a 30-year-old grade II* listed concerned about the proposed building is a waste of public money. demolition of , a grade II* listed building, less than There are quicker, cheaper and thirty years old. This beautiful, much less destructive alternatives modern building lies in the heart of than the demolition of Richmond the and in the House. The full facts are not being Conservation Area. It was presented. Information is being built to exemplary standards, of withheld. high quality materials. Its modelled façades were designed to intricately compliment two other highly regarded buildings, Norman Shaw North and South, named after their architect.

Richmond House was listed on the advice of Historic England, the government’s own heritage advisers. Any other public or private owner under English planning law would be required to justify the demolition of a highly listed public building.

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 3

The plans currently out for consultation are unjustified the point where the press stand is erected on for the following reasons: Remembrance Day to allow photographers to get the best pictures of this uniquely solemn occasion. m Wasteful unnecessary destruction: The A security pavilion on Whitehall will obstruct views plans include the complete demolition of grade of the retained façade of Richmond House, and II* listed Richmond House apart from parts block the public space in front the building. of the front façade on Whitehall. Demolition and redevelopment of this site will cost at least Until now it has been thought that Peers would fend £400million. The ‘temporary chamber’ will be a for themselves in a requisitioned Queen Elizabeth II permanent, hugely expensive building project and Conference Centre (currently one of London’s three there are no firm plans for its future use. major conference venues). Now it emerges that this too could require hugely expensive security measures m There are alternative sites: There are at least – ironic because the award winning building has just 8 alternative sites in the vicinity of Richmond been painstakingly refurbished at a cost of £13m – a House and Whitehall that do not involve the level major works programme to rid it of clutter, show off of waste, expense and destruction as currently the original design and bring it up to international proposed. The feasibility reports of these other conference venue standards. Now it is evident that options have not been produced – despite as the centre sits outside the security footprint of the repeated requests. The site of the temporary parliamentary/Whitehall estate, a new security barrier Commons Chamber could have been resolved may be required - which would impact on neighbouring already but for the insistence of the Parliamentary businesses, as well as the outlook from the UNESCO authorities that the temporary chamber must world heritage site of Abbey. replicate the exact form and dimensions of the existing chamber. It is increasingly clear this stands Further proposed works involve the destruction of in the way of a reasonable solution. The House another important example of Post Modernism of Commons must recognise that the size and architecture. The large annexe added behind No 1 form of the Chamber can be adjusted to achieve Parliament Street was designed by Sir Hugh Casson, a a quicker, cheaper solution and that for example past President of the Royal Academy and opened by electronic voting could be adopted in place of the Prince Charles in 1991. It is set to be demolished as space-consuming division lobbies. part of the wider Northern Estate plans. m Richmond House can be refurbished as The proposed demolition plans lack justification. No exemplar, low energy offices: This is an alternative feasibility options for other sites have been opportunity for Parliament to lead by example published. on climate change and sustainability. Richmond House is beautifully designed with high quality materials. It could be refurbished as an exemplar How can we know that the low energy, naturally ventilated office building. In carbon terms, the demolition of this building is demolition option is the best value the equivalent of over 15,000 flights from London option when no comparisons have to New York. See the Mark Hines report for SAVE Britain’s Heritage here. been presented? m Fortress Westminster: The proposed 3m high railings along the length of Parliament Street and Why is Parliament proposing the around the replacement Richmond House are demolition of its own historic reminiscent of Northern Ireland in the time of the Troubles and dramatically reduce the accessible buildings and our heritage without public space in front of the Cenotaph at precisely robust scrutiny?

www.savebritainsheritage.org 4 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SITES

1. Horseguards Parade as proposed by Foster & Partners and Sir John Ritblat (provides temporary Chambers for both Houses – the Commons and the Lords) 2. Car park of Ministry of Defence 3. a) and b) Main courtyard of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and HM Treasury courtyard 4. Courtyard of existing Richmond House (where the Chamber could fit if the dimensions of the chamber were adjusted) 5. Atrium as proposed by Sir Michael Hopkins 6. Church House (this served as the Chamber of the Lords during World War II and has extensive offices for Peers and staff) 7. College Green (now used by Broadcasters) 8. Victoria Gardens (currently chosen site for Holocaust Museum)

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 5

PRINCIPAL ALTERNATIVES

Three alternatives schemes which do not require the m The second alternative is an imaginative scheme destruction of Richmond House are presented here: from Foster and Partners to build a temporary Parliament on Horseguards Parade. m Plans prepared for SAVE by Ian Chalk Architects and Hopkins Architects show how a temporary m Sir Michael Hopkins has also shown how a chamber could fit within the courtyards of the temporary Commons Chamber could fit within Foreign and Commonwealth Office building or the the Atrium of Portcullis House. adjoining Government Office on , otherwise known as the HM Treasury and HMRC building, on the corner of Parliament Street and Great George Street.

THE LARGE TREASURY AND FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE COURTYARDS

At SAVE’s instigation Ian Chalk Architects and Hopkins within the courtyard of the existing buildings. As shown, Architects have produced drawings showing how the these would be temporary but robust structures. They two chambers could be located across HM Treasury could be reduced in size if the division lobbies were Relocation of Parliament Chambers and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The replaced by electronic voting (see images below and chambers, associated lobbies and galleries could fit overleaf).

The two chambers could be moved to the courtyards of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ian Chalk Architects and the HM Treasury/HMRC building

Ian Chalk Architects June 2019 www.savebritainsheritage.org Local Figureground c E d YAR

TERRA

PoRTcuLLIS houSE . ST RI ch M o N d o NERS MMISSI co

b RI dg E tunnel

PARLIAMENT ST. Local Figureground underground

existing `

underground

extrnded connection PARLIAMENT SQ.

STREET

WNINg

do c E d YAR

TERRA

PoRTcuLLIS houSE . ST RI ch M o N d o NERS MMISSI co

6 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY b RI dg E

. tunnel

ST

PARLIAMENT ST.

underground Local Figureground

chARLES

existing `

kINg

underground

extrnded connection c E d YAR

TERRA PARLIAMENT SQ.

PoRTcuLLIS houSE . ST RI ch M o N d o NERS MMISSI co

b RI dg E tunnel

STREET PARLIAMENT ST. underground

existing `

WNINg d n rou

underg do ed d ction ne extrnn co PARLIAMENT SQ.

FoREIgN ANd coMMoNWEALTh ET

STRE

INg

WN

do oFFIcE h.M TREASuRY

.

ST

chARLES

kINg

FoREIgN ANd coMMoNWEALTh oFFIcE h.M TREASuRY

.

ST

gEoRgE

houSE oF coMMoNS

gREAT

cIRcuLATIoN PRoMENAdE ANd

. TEMPoRARY MP AccoMModATIoN

ST

SEcuRE PERIMETER

IMPERIAL WAR RooMS dEFENSIbLE oPENINgS PubLIc ENTRANcE PubLIc AccESS MP AccESS houRSE guARdS Rd.

chARLES ExISTINg uNdERgRouNd RAIL TuNNELS

ExTENSIoN oF ExISTINg TuNNEL To PRovIdE RouTE INTo h.M TREASuRY Ian Chalk Architects June 2019

kINg

.

ST

gEoRgE

houSE oF coMMoNS FoREIgN ANd coMMoNWEALTh

gREAT oFFIcE h.M TREASuRY cIRcuLATIoN PRoMENAdE ANd TEMPoRARY MP AccoMModATIoN

houSE oF LoRdS

.

ST

gEoRgE

houSE oSEF cocuMMREoNS PERIMETER

gREAT

IMPERIAL WAR cIRcuLATIoN PRoMENAdE ANd RooMS TEMPoRARYdEFENSI MP AccoMMbLEodATI ooNPENINgS PubLIc ENTRANcE houSE oF LoRdS PubLIc AccESS SEcuRE PERIMETER MP AccESS houRSE guARdS Rd. IMPERIAL WAR RooMS dEFENSIbLE oPENINgS PubLIc ENTRANcE PubLIc AccESS MP AccESSExISTINg uNdERgRouNd RAIL TuNNELS houRSE guARdS Rd. ExISTINgE uxNTENSIdERgRouoNdN RAIL o TFu NNELSExISTINg TuNNEL To ExTENSIPRoN oovF ExIISTINdEg RTuouNNELTE To INTo h M TREASuRY PRovIdE RouTE INTo h .M TREASuRY . Ian Chalk Architects Ian Chalk Architects June 2019 June 2019

The two chambers would be connected via a link building in King Charles Street Ian Chalk Architects

Though feasibility studies for these sites have been would echo the existing branch tunnel leading from produced, Parliament has refused to release them. Westminster underground station into Portcullis House Instead they have been ruled out as beyond the secure for pass holder access to the . perimeter of Parliament’s Northern Estate. This new branch tunnel could be secured against intrusion or unauthorised access through use of security There is already a underpass June 2019 rated portals similar to those used in the main entranceIan Chalk Architects beneath Parliament Street at the Parliament end of of Portcullis House. Whitehall. This pedestrian tunnel could be extended with a secure branch tunnel for MPs leading to the As demonstrated (see image opposite), the two basement of the HMRC/Treasury building. This courtyards of HM Treasury and FCO are large enough

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 7

Long Section with Pavilion

Support Support Chamber

Division Division Lobby Lobby

A temporary structure would fit into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office courtyard Hopkins Architects

to accommodate freestanding pavilions for both the Extensive breakout and meeting space can be provided Cross Section with Pavilion 24m wide x 12m high Commons and the Lords Chambers. in temporary structures in King Charles Street between the Treasury and the FCO. This broad long street Some two floors of vacant space are available in the can provide ample space for ancillary Parliamentary Treasury Building for MPs and parliamentary staff. activities. It is between two secure buildings and can More could be freed up on a temporary basis. This is all be protected at either end. This could fulfil the role of modern space recently refurbished. Some space could the Central Lobby in the Houses of Parliament with be made available in the Foreign Office on a temporary further space for meetings, discussions, cafés as well as basis avoiding excessive cost of new buildings. committee rooms.

www.savebritainsheritage.org 8 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

HORSEGUARDS PARADE

Foster and Partners published a detailed proposal for The buildings would be prefabricated off site and Horseguards Parade (see image below and opposite). quickly erected. All parts of the temporary buildings The ample dimensions of Horseguards Parade could would be reusable elsewhere. Secure connections to be used to provide temporary chambers for both Lords Portcullis House and the Northern Estate could be and Commons with offices for MPs, Peers and staff provided by a tunnel under, or a bridge over, Whitehall. immediately adjacent. Sir John Ritblat, promoter of the proposals, has offered Lobbies and committee rooms mirror those in the to build the temporary accommodation at a fixed price Houses of Parliament and accommodation for the and, if desired, on a rental only basis. The proposal was sovereign at the opening of Parliament is provided. first published in theDaily Mail in April 2019.

A temporary building for parliament at Horseguards Parade Foster and Partners

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 9

Existing Chambers and Lobbies Existing Chambers and Lobbies Principal Floor Plan Principal Floor Plan N

N

Existing Chambers and Lobbies Principal Floor Plan

N

Temporary Parliament 31m 13.5m 15m 15m 31m First Floor Plan House of Peers Central Members House of Lords Lobby Lobby Lobby Commons

Existing Chambers and Lobbies Principal Floor Plan

N Temporary Parliament 31m 13.5m 15m 15m 31m First Floor Plan House of Peers Central Members House of Lords Lobby Lobby Lobby Commons

Temporary Parliament 31m 13.5m 15m 15m 31m Temporary Parliament First Floor Plan Section House of Peers Central Members House of 0 5 10 20m Lords Lobby Lobby Lobby Commons

Temporary Parliament Section 0 5 10 20m Temporary Parliament 31m 13.5m 15m 15m 31m First Floor Plan House of Peers Central Members House of Lords Lobby Lobby Lobby Commons

Temporary Parliament Foster and Partners Section Temporary Parliament Section 0 5 10 20m 0 5 10 20m

www.savebritainsheritage.org 10 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

PORTCULLIS HOUSE

Sir Michael Hopkins initiated the public debate on a Though given a warm welcome by a number of MPs, temporary Commons chamber early in 2018 with a the Parliamentary authorities and their advisers have scheme showing how a lightweight pavilion could be set out to show this scheme would not work. See the full temporarily inserted into the atrium of Portcullis House Portcullis proposal here. (see image below). His drawings showed how the chamber, the division lobbies and the press and public galleries would neatly fit in a temporary chamber filling just half the atrium.

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 11 31m

42m

Portcullis House (left) could accommodate the chamber. Illustrated here (above) is a drawing overlaying the existing plan of the Commons chamber and the division lobbies in red over the atrium of Portcullis House. This appears to show the accommodation is too big to fit – but only because the neo-Gothic oriel windows of the division lobbies are slavishly reproduced – when they are obviously quite unnecessary for a temporary chamber.

Hopkins Architects

www.savebritainsheritage.org 12 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

THE CARDINAL ERRORS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PLANNERS

SAVE rebuts the current proposals. See parliament’s proposals for a temporary House of Commons at parliament’s Northern Estate here.

Renewal Of Palace Of Westminster

THEY SAY WE SAY The demolition of grade II* listed The restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster needs to Richmond House is essential happen, but we challenge the decision making process that has landed us to enable the restoration with highly destructive, colossally expensive proposals. The demolition of and renewal of the Palace of Richmond House is not necessary to enable the restoration programme. Westminster. There are other alternative sites for the temporary commons chamber.

Functioning Parliament

THEY SAY WE SAY The temporary House of We don’t need to demolish our beautiful modern heritage to enable the Commons together with running of government and parliament. There are other less expensive and associated facilities will ensure the complicated options. continued running of government and parliament.

Best Value

THEY SAY WE SAY The proposals represent the This is unfounded and unjustified. Without seeing detailed analysis and fastest, best value option to costs for other options, we cannot conclude the demolition and rebuilding deliver the required spaces of Richmond House is the fastest, best value option. and create a lasting legacy for parliament.

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 13

THE CARDINAL ERRORS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PLANNERS

Safety and Security

THEY SAY WE SAY The plans enable all MPs and staff There are other options, such the Foster and Partners plan for Horse Guards to work from a safe and secure Parade, or for the inner courtyards of the Foreign and Commonwealth site in close proximity to the Lords Office and HM Treasury, where a temporary chamber for both Lords and and other parliamentary and Commons would have all of these benefits. Demolition of Richmond House government buildings to allow is not necessary. All options would include a secure short underground or formal and informal interactions bridge connection to link the eastern and western sides of Whitehall. to continue.

Public Access

THEY SAY WE SAY New spaces provided within Public access, education and participation spaces can be provided in many the new Richmond House of the alternative sites for a temporary chamber at a fraction of the cost will maintain public access to – by using unused space in existing buildings on the parliamentary estate the chamber and committee such as HM Treasury for a temporary period. rooms, and new education and participation spaces.

Sustainability

THEY SAY WE SAY The works will deliver significant Using standard industry guidance (The Royal Institute of Chartered improvement in efficiency and Surveyors (RICS) benchmark figure) it is estimated that 10,500-24,000 result in reduced running costs tonnes of CO2 emissions – the equivalent of 15,450 flights from London to and more sustainable buildings. New York – would be lost as a result of the demolition of Richmond House. This is an unsustainable approach to stewardship of the parliamentary estate. On the contrary, Richmond House, designed to be naturally ventilated and therefore using considerably less energy, could be a class leader in low energy government office development. See the Mark Hines report here.

www.savebritainsheritage.org 14 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

THE CARDINAL ERRORS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PLANNERS

Accessibility

THEY SAY WE SAY A priority of the Restoration and We welcome this. It is not necessary demolish Richmond House to provide a Renewal Programme will be to temporary chamber with improved accessibility. bring the Palace up to the modern accessibility standards that are expected in a public building and this is an essential component of the works to the Northern Estate.

Modern Facilities

THEY SAY WE SAY The new Richmond House The existing Richmond House is already a flexible workspace – with built delivers much needed new in courtyards, all desks have access to natural light, and with openable flexible workspace whilst major windows it is a highly desirable model of low energy, efficient workspace. investment into the existing Depending on the scope of works, a refurbishment project may be between buildings has been a fundamental 20-50% more cost effective than the demolition and construction of a new requirement of the Parliamentary building. See the Mark Hines report here. Estate for years. Investment and refurbishment in other buildings in the parliamentary estate is of course a necessary requirement – but the demolition of Richmond House is not a pre-requisite for this.

Legacy Uses

THEY SAY WE SAY The flexibility for future use built Retaining and refurbishing Richmond House as offices could also bring into the new Richmond House potential for more flexible spaces across the Whitehall estate. There are brings with it the potential to free many ways this can be achieved – which is why all the options for the site up spaces within the Palace of of a temporary chamber should be examined and scrutinised. There is no Westminster itself. clear plan for the legacy of the new building post chamber – which makes its efficient, useful and viable use uncertain.

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 15

THE CARDINAL ERRORS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PLANNERS

Heritage

THEY SAY WE SAY With major investment and The demolition of a grade II * listed building is not a heritage benefit. It sensitive improvements to listed is state sponsored vandalism of the first order. It is a hugely destructive buildings across the Northern proposal. The arguments put forward do not begin to justify its demolition. Estate, their condition is greatly The proposals are extravagant, destructive and time wasting. enhanced and their long term use secured whilst minimising changes to the historic character of Whitehall and Parliament Street.

Economy

THEY SAY WE SAY The works to the Northern Estate We welcome the skilled job opportunities presented by the refurbishment and the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster and other historic buildings on the estate, but Programme represent one of the this does not justify ever increasing expenditure on the Northern Estate. UK’s most important construction Opportunities for skilled jobs and other benefits would also be provided projects, creating skilled jobs, work without the demolition of Richmond House. placements and apprenticeships and benefitting the economy.

www.savebritainsheritage.org 16 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

THE ARCHITECTURE OF RICHMOND HOUSE IS FIRST RATE

William Whitfield, as one of the leading Cathedral Street (then recently saved from demolition). Like Architects of his day, knew all about designing and the little houses in the Strand saved by public outcry building in sensitive contexts. He had a gift for handling sparked by a SAVE campaign, this whole block along materials in a creative way. Whitehall, including Regency Richmond Terrace, stands as a reminder that history should not repeat itself. After the long battle to save major buildings in Whitehall from demolition, including, unbelievably, the Whitfield’s recessive frontage on Whitehall is Foreign Office, Whitfield was chosen as the man who acknowledged as a masterpiece, with echoes of both could design a building worthy to stand 100 metres the Tudor , Henry VII’s Chapel from Inigo Jones’s Banqueting House and have a well- and the Elizabethan inspiration of Barry’s Houses of judged presence on Whitehall. Parliament. This had to provide an appropriate backdrop to the Whitfield’s new building was not a standalone Cenotaph and not overwhelm the handsome and composition which could be seen in the round. The varied frontages of the buildings along Parliament east side is very different to the Whitehall frontage and

Richmond House relates sensitively to its older neighbours (image: Country Life Picture Gallery) www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 17

Whitfield created a range of spaces for Richmond House, from office suites to beautifully crafted reception rooms. The photograph (right) shows the Minister’s staircase (images: Country Life Picture Gallery).

conceived as a response to another major Victorian stone and enriched the palette with extensive use of landmark – the on the beautifully fashioned and silvery lead. Embankment which are named after their architect Whitfield’s building speaks of durability and firmness who took Victorian architecture and delight. He also introduces modelling and out of pure Revivalism – whether Gothic or Classical movement into the composition – what the great – into a new more adventurous vocabulary with an Robert Adam called ‘movement in architecture’ – the emphasis on roofline and a break with symmetry. advance and the recess and the rise and fall. In doing this he created a new heroic and romantic style known as Queen Anne Revival. Richmond House was awarded a Royal Institute of British Architecture Architecture award in 1989, a Whitfield responded superbly to Norman Shaw’s Europa Nostra Heritage award and in 1988 a Civic palette of warm red brick and gleaming white Portland Trust Award.

www.savebritainsheritage.org 18 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

RICHMOND HOUSE AS EXEMPLAR LOW ENERGY OFFICES

The retention and refurbishment of Richmond House wins in four key ways: it retains and compliments the architectural qualities of the existing building, it generates significantly less carbon emissions than a new building, it reduces current operating energy use and it is cost effective. Refurbishment represents an enormous opportunity for parliament to create a landmark, low energy, best practice office building. Recycling and refurbishing our existing buildings is a vital component in supporting the UK’s government commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2050 and helping to tackle climate change. See the full Richmond House refurbishment report, commissioned by SAVE Britain’s Heritage in May 2019, here. Mark Hines Architects is an architectural practice specialising in the remodelling and creative reuse of historic buildings. Mark Hines was the project director responsible for the repair and conversion of the BBC’s grade II* listed Broadcasting House. He is a former scholar with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

The offices in Richmond House are thoughtfully designed, naturally ventilated and well daylit.

www.savebritainsheritage.org THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY | 19

EXAMPLES OF TEMPORARY CHAMBERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

There are a number of examples of temporary Canada parliamentary buildings around the world which were The Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, built in the needed while the existing buildings underwent a large early 20th century, is undergoing a major restoration scale refurbishment or rebuilding project. programme. The House of Commons of Canada is currently located in the Central Block of Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill. For the refurbishment it has temporarily moved to a glass-roofed structure built into the former open-air courtyard of the West Block. It will operate from there for the next ten years.

Germany In the 1980s, Germany’s parliament building, then still in Bonn, required urgent repair and maintenance works as it was not fit for purpose anymore. Parliament moved into a nearby 19th century pumping station, which had been converted during the summer The Canadian Parliament has moved to its temporary home in a parliamentary recess. The temporary accommodation, courtyard of the old building to vacate the historic chamber during though much smaller than the old chamber and fitted refurbishment. Wikipedia with minimal expense, housed parliament successfully over the following six years while a new building was A 19th century pumping station served the German parliament while constructed. the new parliament building was built. Wikipedia

www.savebritainsheritage.org 20 | THE TEMPORARY HOME FOR MPs MUST NOT BE A FOLLY

70 Cowcross Street London EC1M 6EJ www.savebritainsheritage.org © save britains heritage 2019 www.savebritainsheritage.org