-l THE Kensington Society The objects of the Society shall be to preserve and improve the amenities of Kensington for the public benefit by stimulating interest in its history and records, promoting good architecture and planning in its future development and by protecting, preserving and improving its buildings, open spaces and other features of beauty or historic or public interest. Registered Charity No. 267 7 7 3 FRONT COVER Annual Report Painting by E. Hu.ll 1894. Little Holland House Kensington, from a sl¿etch made prior 1994 to its demolition - 1875. Hotne of G.F. Wq.tts R.A. by kind permission of Kensington. Borouglt. Cotmcil Library. The Kensington Society PATRON HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS Tlne London THE DIIIG OF GLOUCESTER, c.c.vo. Society $ardens PRESIDENT JOHN DRUMMOND, c.n.n VICE-PRESIDENTS 9ertificate of txcellence THE RT HON. TIIE EARL OF SNOWDON c.c.v.o. MRS GAY CHRISTHNSEN COUNCIL Au;arded to TI- lwneLr*fnn Socbtv. )/ Sir Ronald Arculus Sir Duncan Oppenheim Barnabas Brunner Dr Stephen Pasmore For skowing ø pnde in London by the Ian Grant The Hon. Laura Ponsonby cultiuation of flouters and shrubs but George Pole Martin Starkie (.lrn* Peter de Vere Hunt J. Single ly for ll Antony Jabez-Smith R.T. Wilmot Robert Martin J.D. Williams Dr Peter Nathan Michael Winner t, tþ''t EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE crrArRMAN: Robe¡t Vigars 0hainnan vrcE CIIAIRMAN: Robert Meadows Michael Bach Mrs G. Christiansen Michael Middleton c.s.n. Philip English Harry Morgan A. Farrand Radley nr.n.n. Mrs Susan Walker Robert Meadows Robert Vigars HoN. sEcRETARY AND EDIToR oF REPoRT: Mrs G. Christiansen HoN. TREASURcR: A. Farrand Radley, ivt.o.e. HoN. AUDIToR: Andrew Snelling, Barclays Bank plc. Foreword Annual General Meeting r994 Recently I was looking at a collection of photographs of London taken at various times in the last 150 years. Although so much has changed, every now and again there is a photograph in which The A¡rnual General Meeting of the Kensington Society was held at nothing seems to have altered, except the height of the trees. But 6pm on 28 April 1994 at the Maria Assumpta Centre, 23 the one real difference, even in photographs taken as recently as Kensington Square, W8. Mr John Drummond cBE, President of the the 1950's, is the absence of parked cars. Today a street empty of Society, was in the Chair. stationary metal can only be seen when they are re-surfacing the The business of the meeting was conducted after a talk given by road. Sir Neil Cossons oen, Director of the Science Museum, entitled It is understandable that so much written about transport 'Albertopolis - The South Kensington Millenium Project'. Sir Neil concentrates on getting around London rather than the problems of emphasised that he was a representative of a group of people who finding somewhere to park. Everyone knows that it makes sense to shared the vision of reviving and further realising the plans of give priority to public transport; bus lanes are an excellent thing. Prince Albert to establish a cultural and educational complex in go Everybody asks why so many lorries through the centre of south Kensington. The present Science and Natural History presumably because it's quicker than t'rying to go round London; Museums, the V&4, Imperial College, Royal College of Art, Royal we go everlastingly increasing the number of the M25. But can Geographical Society, Royal College of Music and the Albert Hall privately owned cars that clog our streets? The Residents Parking had all been spawned by the Great Exhibition of 1851-, and each way, noitr seems seriously scheme, an excellent thing in its had ambitious plans for development. But the area surrounding overstretched so many more valid permits than there are with these institutions did not adequately complement them or cater available places. One of my neighbours hesitates ever to move her properly for the thousands of employees and millions of visitors. small car in case she can't frnd a space again near to her home. If, The core of the Albertopolis proposal was to t¡ansform the like me, you tend to work late in the evening, you find yourself present draughty tunnel from near the tube station to the museums going round and round the block for anything up to half an hour into an attractive, welcoming and high quality indoor reception and parking half a mile away. Either that or leaving the car on a area mall, expanding to occupy the whole lower level of yellow line and having to go out earlier than you need in the or Exhibition Road and providing facilities such as shops and cafes as morning simply to try to re-park the car. well as exhibition space. It was hoped the flavour of the retail Of course 'green' people will tell you to get rid of the car. Recently outlets would reflect and educational aims of the for a variety of reasons I have been trying to do just that, using the cultural surrounding institutions, and therefore it should be rather different buses, taxis or the underground. I have to say, given my lifestyle, it Garden complex (i.e. funfair does not make things either easier or cheaper. It is very hard to to something like the Covent not a convince people to do without a car, even if we can imagine the ethos). Sir Neil compared it to the Pyramid undergtound space in benefrts as a whole to the City. Yet in due course, something will the main courtyard of the Louwe which was similar in size and in have to be done. Predictions speak of twice as many cars in ten atmosphere to this proposal. years time; just buying a smaller car, as I have done, is not really Sir Norman Foster and Partners had been chosen from 5 much of a contribution. architect submissions to develop a scheme which would be put Meanwhile, the Council might consider an idea put forward by a forward with an application for funding from the Millenium friend of mine the other day, which would improve the appearance National Lottery (which was to finance projects that would enhance of the streets if not solve the problem. He suggested marking only London or the life of the nation). It was hoped to liaise with Tbrry those places where parking is permitted rather than where it is Farrell & Company, who were already planning an improvement of not. It would certainly be an improvement to get rid of all those the area immediately surrounding South Kensington Underglound yellow single and double lines, especially on main roads. But, like Station. The mall would segregate pedestrians from traffic, giving many simple suggestions, it is probably too simple to be successful. views of the gardens round the National History Museum and John Drummond providing direct accêss to all the museums. President, Kensington Society The scheme also hoped to incorporate a piazza level linking the 4 5 area rorüld the Albert Hall to Kensington Gardens and the Albert expressed the hope that the energetic leadership ofthe institutions Memorial (hopefully this would be restored at the same time), involved would give the scheme a good chance of success. dropping down Kensington Gore to send traffrc underneath, but Sir Apologies Neil recognised that this was a more controversial aspect of the noted Patron of Society. HRH The Duke of proposal. It was that the the Gloucester ccvo, had sent his apologies as he was away in America. Sir Neil said they had already had some enthusiastic responses from the Local Authorities (Kensington & Chelsea and Minutes Westminster) and would be showing details to the public and Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 1993, printed in the Annual asking for comments. The development would cost approximately Report 1993 circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read, t150 million. It would be competing for Millenium proceeds with adopted by the meeting and signed by Mr Drummond. some other major contenders such as the South Bank and the Tate Chairmants Report Gallery at Bankside. But as well as making a vital contribution to the cultural life of the nation, it would be particularly appropriate Mr Robert Vigars referred to the printed Annual Report and to cany out this scheme now in time to celebrate in 2001 the 150th highlighted the tribute to Mr Barnabas Brunner, thanking him for anniversary of the Great Exhibition and the initiation of Prince his 21 years of service on the Executive Committee, including his Albert's original dream. last 3 years as Chairman. He thanked Mrs Christiansen for maintaining the Princess Alice Memorial Garden. The main activity After speaking, Sir Neil took several questions from the floor. It of the Society had been concentrated on the Unitary Development was asked if the Local Authorities had any reservations. Sir Neil Plan which had now been published, and over the next six months said they were being informed and consulted at all the planning we would be working to get our recommendations implemented. stages, to minimise problems before a formal planning application Permission had been granted for the Tþsco development despite our and some modifications had already been made. was submitted, opposition. permission was needed for the glazed area which might be Planning The year had also seen the devolution of powers from English the museums and for the civil engineering work erected between Heritage to Councils. Our comments had resulted in some involved. modification. We had given evidence to the parliamentary Answering a question about parking, Sir Neil said it should be Boundary Commission and opposed the amalgamation of No¡th possible to provide more off-street parking by enlarging Kensington and Westminster.